Ulrike Sturm spent her early teens living in Goroka, a town in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. She describes the time as, ‘an experience that profoundly impacted me in many ways. It is a place that just grabs hold of your heart and won’t let go.’ The stunning linocut prints in her exhibition currently showing at Noosa Regional Gallery document some of her memories from this period of her life. Having visited the country only briefly myself I was touched by her images and their simple and powerful energy.
As part of Ulrike’s PhD at Central Queensland University she has been able to explore her personal narratives and memories of this time living in Papua New Guinea. In this research she has investigated PNG artist, Mathias Kauage (1944-2003) and his vivid visual narrative works depicting the life and changes in the Country around the time Ulrike and her family arrived there. This spurred her to make her own work based on her own memories and experiences.
Referring to old family albums and memory, Ulrike made sketches that she has worked into large-scale (up to 2.7 metres in length) vinyl artworks. Each piece is painstakingly cut from a master template. The ephemeral nature of the works could be said to be a metaphor for the transience of our memories.
Also available for purchase at the gallery is a small book telling the tales behind each image providing further insight into her favourite people, going to market, the local tribes, and the seasonal tropical storms.
The exhibition continues until Sunday 7 June. Coffee and conversations with Ulrike will be held at the Gallery on Thursday 14 May from 10:30am to 11:30am.
Workshop Saturday 16 May, 10.30am -1.30pm Ulrike takes participants through the concept of creating dramatic black and white artworks using the hand-cut vinyl technique. Please note that sharp blades will be used for this workshop.
$20 per person includes materials. Ages 16 years plus
Bookings and pre-payment essential: (07) 5329 6145
Amy Clarke
Guest Reviewer
7th May - 7th June 2015
www.noosa.qld.gov.au/whats-on-nrg
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