| What is it that connects Poland with Australia and Wieliczka with Newcastle? These questions were answered by Australian artists, who are the professors and lecturers of the Fine Arts Academy at the University of Newcastle. Their works can be admired in the Drozdowice, Wisła and Izabela chambers from July to September. The works of the 21 authors are presented at the "Down Under Ground" Exhibition. The artists were inspired by the salt mine, its history, and geology, their work is a creative interepretation of these things.
The Wieliczka treasure is salt, while in Newcastle it is coal. White salt and black coal create a contradiction which one could not imagine being combined into a single form. However, the aesthetic sensitivity and deliberation of the Australian artists has shaped a creative dialogue of strong contrasts creating an unusual connection between these two geographical points, so far away from each other.
The boomerang entitled, 'Iconic flag concept No. 1, 2008', which stands in front of the Daniłowicz shaft building was created by Michael Garth, who wrote in the exhibition catalogue, "Please enjoy my work, as it is the only way I can thank you for inviting me to the exhibit at your Mine".
Pam Sinnot also wrote, "In developing work for the exhibition DOWN UNDER GROUND, I wanted to contrast the inherent aspects of both regions - Newcastle (Australia) and Wieliczka (Poland). In doing so I also wanted to provide a metaphorical connection to each. In the Hunter Valley, "dark" coal is mined. In Wieliczka, "light" salt was mined. My work reflects and contrasts the mined material, past and present, through form, colour and materials".
A highly intriguing work created by Grzegorz Dąbrowa stands in the Drozdowice chamber. It is a sculpture, as the author notes "Worth is weight in gold" the size of my own hands plus an Australian tap with a gold droplet, especially moulded from a sandstone pedestal, in order to be mounted on a mass of salt at the site of exhibition, it should be called "Hands is weight in gold" however, through exhibiting in the Wieliczka Salt Mine I would like to express my homage to the people who saved the mine from flooding in 1992", said the author.
Grzegorz Dabrowa:Worth its weight in gold |
Grzegorz Dabrowa: Australian Roots |
The "Down Under Ground" exhibition was prepared by Teresa Wojna-Kenc and Agnieszka Wolańska. The exhibition will leave for Australia in September to become our extraordinary "ambassador" in this far away country where it will be presented in the Regional Gallery of Gosford and the Regional Gallery in Newcastle.
"Down Under Ground" is a significant part of the jubilee celebrating the listing of the Salt Mine on the First UNESCO List of Natural and Cultural Heritage.
More photos here
More info on World Heritage
ARTISTS EXHIBITING THEIR WORKS:
Alexander Brett,
Biles Annette (Ping),
Cecil Graham,
Chawner Allen,
Davies Amanda,
Dąbrowa Grzegorz,
Deakin-Bell Gregory,
Garth Michael,
Gillett Robert,
Graham Anne,
Hartwig Carole,
Lang Graham,
Lawry Miranda,
Penn Giselle,
Sinnott Pam,
Smith Kris,
Tilley Lezlie,
Turner Mazie,
Weekes Trevor,
Wilson-Adams Patricia,
Wojna-Kenc Teresa Ewa.
More about Ewa Wojna-Kenc - click here & watch her works!
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