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10 November, 2003 Interview Transcript Champions of the Bush Executive Officer Darren Chester ABC Statewide Victoria, Presenter Kathy Bedford, Topic: Growing importance of the arts in regional areas Bedford: Rural and regional Australia has always been a source of inspiration for some of our great writers and artists. But when most of us think of art and culture we think about the city galleries, theatres and performing arts spaces. We seem to think of the bush as a bit of a cultural backwater but is this really the case? Not according to Darren Chester from Champions of the Bush - Darren joins me this morning. Good morning. Chester: Good morning Kathy. Bedford: Darren, you believe that rural and regional areas are undergoing some sort of a boom in the arts. Chester: That's right Kathy. I get to travel around Victoria quite a bit with my work and I'm constantly impressed by the strength and the diversity of the arts communities in country areas. Now I must stress for your listeners' benefit I'm not an art critic - I'm a fan of artists - and I'm limited to stick drawings in terms of my own art producing work. But there does appear to be an extraordinary number of highly talented artists now living and working in regional areas. From my experiences here in Gippsland there definitely appears to be more artists making the move and earning a high profile in their local communities. Bedford: Isn't that just because artists are often struggling and they just can't afford to live in the big city - that's the attraction. Chester: I think that would be part of it - it's definitely more affordable to live in a country community in terms of housing affordability and gallery art space, and that type of thing. But as you said in your introduction - the regional communities have always been a great source of inspiration for the artistic sector. In a visual sense, who could help but be inspired if you're living near the Murray River, or the Grampians, the Great Ocean Road, or the Gippsland Lakes... even the high country or wilderness areas. I think our artists are heading out to this wonderful peaceful environment because they can really relax and enjoy stress-free living. I think we have a lot to offer the artistic community. Bedford: What do the artists have to offer back to their communities do you think? Chester: They really do add to the skills base of our communities. I know from my experiences with one community group, we used a local artist to develop some educational posters. It was actually in relation to the Gippsland Lakes, which I noticed you were talking about before the break. We commissioned an artist to do some educational posters, raising some of these environmental issues, which we then distributed to the community and to the local schools. It was a very strong visual image which we wouldn't have been able to get across, just with words. So we relied heavily on our local arts base to get that message across. They certainly make a big contribution to our communities. We've got to keep in mind too... with all the regional arts, festivals and events... that type of thing... they actually make a very significant contribution to the economy as well. Bedford: I was just going to say that... the link to tourism and regional development must be fairly significant. Chester: I think you'll find that a lot of visitors to regional areas - and we hear this a lot through Tourism Victoria - they say that visitors want to experience a little bit about the region they're visiting. People with time on their hands love to poke through the galleries and check out the works of local artists. It gives them a bit of an insight into your community. So if you've got a strong artistic community, and you get little clusters, showing off their work with galleries and that type of thing, it certainly adds to the attraction of your region. You can't go to the beach every day Kathy so on those wet days, you get into the little cafˇ with the local artworks and it certainly shows off your region very well. Bedford: We're talking to Darren Chester from Champions of the Bush. He's always a great advocate for the regional areas that we broadcast to. We're taking your calls this morning. If you've actually got an art show coming up in your region this is a good opportunity to promote it. We're talking art in regional areas. Is it flourishing? Darren, what difficulties are there though for artists living outside the major cities? Chester: I think we'd probably have to talk to the artists themselves and it would be great if a couple of them rang to let us know. I suppose the distance from major population centres can be awkward to deal with some times. But then again they can use the internet to market their work and overcome some of those geographical obstacles. I guess it's like any industry - rural life is not going to suit all artists - just as it doesn't suit all accountants or all lawyers. But we believe it's something that is a very realistic option for many artists and we're encouraging regional communities to support whenever they can, and promote the many talented people they've already got living in their areas. If we put out the welcome mat - encourage them and make them feel like they are a part of our communities and get them involved - I think we'll find that the artistic community has a lot to offer to our country regions. Bedford: 1300 303 468 is the talkback number. If you'd like to let us know about any art exhibitions that you've got happening throughout the state. Darren, we could break regional Victoria down into areas that do have really strong artistic populations. Like Castlemaine I know has a lot of artists. Chester: It certainly seems to be that little pockets do develop - that comes from strength in numbers I suppose. If you're going to cluster your artists together, you create that trail through your region - where you can go and visit a number of different galleries. I know in East Gippsland around the Metung area is very strong. There's a lot of good artists who have set up galleries. People spend days moving around through those galleries and seeing the artists in their own location, which is always a treat as well. Seeing the artist at work, at home if you like - it's a great experience. One thing we didn't mention is some of the public art works in country areas. When I travel around I often get struck by the great murals you see in some of the little heritage towns where they've spent a lot of money and a lot of effort in presenting their towns quite strongly. I think through the Goulburn Valley there's multi-coloured cows - I don't know if you've seen those. Bedford: I've seen them in Shepparton - they're gorgeous. Chester: They worked for me. I was driving through with my family - the kids saw them and thought they were fantastic. We stopped for a photo, next thing you know we've stopped for lunch and spent 20 or 30 bucks in that town - so it's a really good way to attract visitors. Bedford: We might speak to an artist Darren. Thankyou so much for raising the topic today. It's always a pleasure. Chester: Thankyou Kathy - have a great day. Bedford: Darren Chester with Champions of the Bush. We'd love to hear from some artists or some people who might have exhibitions coming up. I mentioned nudes... well this is where the nudes come in. Gary Yelen is a Gippsland artist who tells me he loves the nude. Good morning Gary. Discussions with Gary about Nowa Nowa Nudes art exhibition. Bedford: And we're talking today about the attraction for artists to live in regional areas... why did you settle in East Gippsland? Yelen: Well I love the country and I love everything that you can experience out in the country. It relates to the mountains, the bush, the sand dunes - everything that you can represent within painting. You've got the whole spectrum... there are smaller towns that you can express yourself, and I have a gallery out here at Nowa Nowa. People come in and see the diversity of work... and I just love it. I love waking up in the morning and hearing things - where I live is on Lake Tyers - and we have a magnificent view. Bedford: So you would say that your regional environment very much influences your art? Yelen: Absolutely. That's why I picked living in East Gippsland. I lived for a long time over in Ireland - for about 15 years - in an area that had similar attractions. Small towns, magnificent beauty, overlooking the ocean - here we overlook the lake. It's just inspirational. Bedford: What are the difficulties? What are the negatives that you wouldn't have if you lived in a big city? Yelen: The negatives are your exposure to people who are used to buying art and whatever. But I don't see that as a problem you know - I see that as an attraction to try to bring those sort of people who collect art and are involved in the arts to an area like this - to showcase an area. The art is just one of those things that can bring people out here. Bedford: Well best of luck with the Nowa Nowa Nudes exhibition from the 21st of November. Nudes in all of their forms Gary. Yelen: Yes, thankyou very much and I hope to see you there. Bedford:
That would be lovely!
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