University uses artists for early Open Day community impact

Friday, 11 August 2006

People out and about in Adelaide over the next week (from Monday, August 14) may see an unexpected shot of colour brightening up different locations around the city.

In the week leading up to its Open Day on Sunday, 20 August, the University of Adelaide is commissioning three Adelaide-based artists to bring their work out of the studio into the community - at the same time bringing the University to the public in an eye-catching way.

The artists have been asked to produce paintings that will reflect the impact the University of Adelaide has on the community of Adelaide - large 1.8 metre by 1.2 metre colourful representations of the fuller picture presented to Open Day visitors.

"The University's Open Day falls on the final day of the South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA). We thought it appropriate to hold an art performance project in the lead up to Open Day while Adelaide is buzzing with visual arts," said University Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha.

"We'd like everyone, not just school-leavers and their parents, to visit the University on Sunday, August 20, and see the exciting range of activities, displays and talks. The aim is to help people know and understand a little bit more about what this University does and its value in society. But we also wanted the artists to help take that message out into the streets and engage with the community in the run up to Open Day."

Train travellers coming into the city station on Monday morning, August 14, will get the first surprise glimpse of the artists in action. Between 8am and 9am, artist Rosemaree Hoffman will be on the station concourse, starting work on her large painting. She will be in Rundle Mall between 12-2 and back at the railway station at 5-6pm.

Rosemaree Hoffman and fellow artists, Ross Morgan and John Hamilton, will be located around the city at different times throughout the week. Their paintings will be displayed and auctioned, by silent auction, at the University's Open Day with proceeds going to the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Fund.

"The University of Adelaide is one of this city's great institutions and we want the whole community to understand how the University's teaching and research benefits everybody," Professor McWha said.

NOTES:

The participating artists are:

Rosemaree Hoffman grew up in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and the vivid outback colours and textures inspire her work. She went to art school in Melbourne and has travelled extensively in Australia and Asia over the past 15 years. She now specialises in large canvas abstracts, for which she has become known.

Ross Morgan comes from the Mid North of South Australia and is exhibiting through SALA week in the 'Contemporary Creatives' exhibition. Ten of his characteristic oil character portraits were used in the credits for the new Matthew Holmes feature film, 'Twin Rivers'. This award-winning young artist was chosen as an emerging artist for the 'ONE' exhibition at the Torrens Parade Ground in May this year.

John Hamilton retired last year to Adelaide from a career as a commercial advertising graphic designer/artist in Sydney, and is now concentrating on fine art. He has joined the Red House Group at Gallery M and is currently preparing paintings for the St Peter's Cathedral Art Show in October.

Artist locations:

Monday, 14 August: 8-9am at Adelaide Railway Station; 12-1pm at Rundle Mall (Hindley Street end); 1-2pm at Rundle Mall (Gawler Place intersection); 5-6pm at Adelaide Railway Station

Tuesday, 15 August: 8-9am at Adelaide Railway Station; 12-1pm at Rundle Mall (Rundle Street end); 5-6pm at Adelaide Railway Station

Wednesday, 16 August: 8-9am at Adelaide Railway Station; 12-1pm at Rundle Mall (Gawler Place); 1-2pm at Rundle Mall (Hindley St); 5-6pm Adelaide Railway Station

Thursday, 17 August: 8-9am at Adelaide Railway Station; 12-1pm at Rundle Mall (Rundle Street); 1-2pm North Tce / Pulteney St; 5-6pm Adelaide Railway Station

Friday, 18 August: 8-9am at Adelaide Railway Station; 12-1pm at Rundle Mall (Hindley St); 1-2pm Rundle Mall (Gawler Place); 5-6pm Adelaide Railway Station

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