Festival opens up artistic spaces

Art lovers will get a sneak peek into the homes and studios of some of Broome’s most talented artists as part of an exciting event happening at the Shinju Fringe Festival this weekend.

Shinju Fringe’s Artist Open House Trail is a free three-day public event providing an intimate look at the creative works of more than 20 local artists, many of which find their inspiration from the iconic landscapes and materials found in Western Australia’s stunning North West.

Among the artists to exhibit will be modern landscape artist Suzy French, who has been painting for more than 15 years, and Bernadette Trench-Theideman, who will showcase recent works on paper and canvas.

Trench-Thiedeman will also perform Dictionary Divinations which involves incorporating small-scale puppetry as part of an immersive site specific work called Stranger in Paradise.

“I will transform my living space into an exhibition space featuring recent paintings, small scale sculpture and performance,” she said.

“My house doubles as a studio space, so people will have the opportunity to see new puppetry work being produced and possibly performed.”

French said the event was a “fantastic opportunity” for the general public to see what their local artists were doing in Broome and provided great exposure for the artists themselves.

Broome Art Club will be displaying works from talented mother and son duo Chrissy and Jaia Carter.

Carter uses a range of media such as ceramics, oils, printmaking, watercolour and mosaics while 15-year-old Jaia’s photographic and videographic works will be on display, with observers given the opportunity to see him at work in his editing suite.

Other highlights of the Artist Open House Trail include the working studio home of Ben and Jody Loaring, artist Hike Radzevicius shaping wax with blow torches, flames and hot air guns to make unique pieces, painter Nadeen Lovell explaining the processes involved in her art, and a variety of works from resident artists from the Broome Factory.

Artists from Aboriginal women’s art centre Nagula Jarndu will also have their unique textiles on display.

The Artist Open House Trail will be held throughout the Shinju Fringe Festival from Friday to Sunday.

For more information and full program details visit www.shinjufringe.com.au.