Residency report: Nerine Martini and Paula Broom

Three figures, Paula Broom, Gunyah 2018

We arrived in the pouring rain during a cold snap. It rained constantly throughout the first night and day, and it took us a while to warm up. Yet only a couple of days into the residency, the sun shone and we were able to venture out into the bush. The wet leaves sparkled on the paths, and cobwebs in the undergrowth glistened with dew in the sun.

Sunrise, Paula Broom, Gunyah 2018

With the fire warming the house and the light dancing on the water below, we settled into the relaxing space, enjoying the changing colours on the water, soft pinks, cool greys and orange sunsets. One day the scene was even blanketed in soft mist. During our stay we caught glimpses of wildlife - sea eagle, kangaroos and even a pod of dolphins in a nearby bay.

Nerine's work space, Gunyah 2018

Paula continued to explore ideas around ecology and perception. She collected fallen leaves and stitched them into expressive, single eyed masks, which formed the basis of an afternoon’s photoshoot in the bush - the very bush from where the leaves had been foraged. Nerine and her friend Christine, who was visiting for the afternoon, wore the masks and were photographed in amongst the tea trees, ironbarks and angophora and other plants near Gunyah.

Nerine and Craig, Gunyah 2018

Nerine also had a sewing project evolving;  stitching poetic words onto hessian. These will be part of a larger installation of sandbags and text. She also spent a part of each day reading and writing as shecontinuesher practice led PhD.  Nerine’s partner Craig  drove up from Sydney to celebrate his birthday with us. He stayed on for a couple of days over the weekend, when Paula took the ferry from Tea Gardens over to Nelson Bay to spend a night with family there.

Sunset from the jetty, Paula Broom, Gunyah 2018

Evenings were spent by the fireside, after co-created meals, talking about art as well as our shared experiences.  Often time, reading or even stitching happened now, the slow meditative type that really allowed us to unwind and reflect upon our lives happenstance.

Morning mist off the jetty, Paula Broom, Gunyah 2018

In the studio, we both experimented with frottage techniques, rubbing leaves and text to make layered impressions onto thin paper, and Paula even tried out an idea she had involving burnishing and printmaking.

Paula and Nerine at Gunyah

Overall it was a wonderful, relaxing stay in the homely, healing environment of Gunyah.  The house exuded the feel of family times, and friendships continued and forged.  We could imagine many celebratory lunches and dinners around the kitchen table, overlooking that view! It allowed us the time and space to experiment and create and to cook and share wonderful meals throughout the stay.

Nerine Martini and Paula Broom

Residency report July 2018