Small panels to show off big picture ideas

Small artworks that make a big statement feature in a new exhibition starting next month.

A selection of nine-inch (23cm) by five-inch (13cm) panels will be displayed as part of the 9x5 Artwork Exhibition, which will run from July 25 to August 7 at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries.

Two workshops will be held at Edith Cowan University’s South West campus on June 15 and 27 with all the panels to go under the hammer as part of an auction at the university’s open day on August 28.

Proceeds go to the Art Partners program to encourage more participation in the arts.

Program officer Wanda Ariano said artist Helen Seiver would run the workshop with help from ECU student Marianne Folland-Myors.

“This is the third year we have collaborated with ECU as part of the exhibition and auction and we are looking for more people to get involved in the workshops,” she said.

Among the artists involved are Art Partners participant Daniel McLachlan, 16, and ECU visual arts honours student Tom Ansell.

Mr Ansell said his artwork explored his obsession with ships and was an extension of themes he worked on previously.

“I’ve been exploring ships during the past year after working in a team to make artwork which was displayed along Koombana Drive,” he said.

“I then looked at a lot of yachts to get a better idea of the shape and made about 200 drawings of yachts.”

Daniel said he was inspired by video games set in medieval times to create his artwork.

“I’ve done bigger drawings of characters so it was a bit tricky getting it on a smaller panel,” he said.

“It’s more challenging getting all the detail that I wanted.”

Email artpartnersbunbury@gmail.com to attend.