Southern Lights @Foundry.

Coinciding with the Winter Nights at @ Laneway3875 in Bairnsdale, Foundry will transform the front window and gallery entry with a group exhibition from Foundry friends and makers, themed Southern Lights. This year’s theme speaks to the beauty and magic we felt knowing that the Aurora Australis was gracing our skies.

Pauline Crunden has created 'Sunlit Night,' which she says “interprets numerous photographs captured across Gippsland and shared on social media, enabling, those without the view, to experience the magnificence of this phenomenon. The constantly evolving landscape of Gippsland never ceases to inspire my creativity.”

In his whimsical style, award winning sculptor Gavin Roberts has created three pieces made from 40 individual buildings carved in reclaimed red gum which are illuminated with traffic light lenses.

You might have to be quick to snap up one of Jill Hermans’ shibuichi works, with wonderful aurora inspired colours from the flame coloured surface for which she is renowned in galleries locally and nationally.

Inge de Koster has just made it back in time to apply her newly acquired skills after attending a workshop in Porto, Portugal with world renowned cloisonné artist Sandra McEwen. She is excited about sharing her explorations with radiant coloured enamels on fine silver clay.

Many of Foundry’s other resident artists have created new works in their signature styles. Deanne Howlett’s has created a new collection, ‘Night Lights’, using luminescent resin that is formed by hand and finished with a tactile surface that is a sensory feast. Penny Gray continues her explorations with the magical Cyanotype process creating nature inspired prints that are crafted by hand on the shores of Lake Tyers. Julia Trezise will be sure to inspire with a multi-tiered tree that reflects the magic of the aurora.

Jes John continues using ancient techniques & equipment to create knitted work and her upcoming exhibition ‘figments’ will coincide with Foundry’s 10th birthday celebration in August.

CLeed’s Trial & Fire exhibition of her enamel art has been extended and will run concurrently with the Southern Lights exhibition until mid August. Her piece for the Southern Lights exhibition explores how many of us experience the world through the lenses and filters of technology. It is beautifully framed by maker Sam Thomas with a local Eucalyptus species.

Come join the festivities and enjoy our famous mulled wine with extended trading hours and other festival delights including live music, street food, snow machine and much more. We also have warm East Gippsland Winter Festival hoodies available in a great range of sizes. The opening for Southern Lights will be held at Foundry from 5pm to 9pm, Saturday June 29th. It will run until the 16th of August, 2024.