In the Polish Embassy Down Under
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| Tracy's Art In Australia & Adventures |
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| So to start this amazing Australian Adventure newsletter - I decided to start with a photo from our trip to the Featherdale Wildlife Refuge in which I went to feed a Wallaby and got a kiss instead! Yes, I will speak about my art, but when folks have been asking me about our trip, my response is "I was totally unprepared for how much I would fall in love with Australia!" And the animals were part of it - I discovered there are various Kangaroos (the tree kangaroo being my favorite) and tons of birds and beasts I've never seen or knew about. The landscape is wild, rugged and glorious, the Snowy Mountains and Blue Mountains each have their own character - and the Snow Gum is now my favorite tree. We were there eight days with an extremely busy schedule, but I did mangae to dash off a few field sketches and paintings which I will share in next month's newsletter. Our friend, Felix Molski, graciously hosted us and drove us all over New South Wales. |
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| Tracy's Sculpture in the Polish Embassy in Canberra, Australia NSW |
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| Five years ago the Kosciuszko Heritage purchased my sculpture of Polish freedom fighter, Tadeusz Kosciuszko with his aide Agrippa Hull. This sculpture is in the collection of the Polish Embassy and is displayed outside the entrance to Kosciuszko Hall. This video was made by the Kosciuszko Heritage on the arrival of the sculpture to Australia and discusses the history behind the acquisition. Photo above shows Felix Molski and Tracy with the bronze sculpture. The photo below shows Tracy and Felix with the Polish First Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, and Consular affairs, Marcin Kawalowski. We were treated to a tour of the Embassy, delightful converation and even Polish candies. |
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| Another highlight of my trip was going to the Art Gallery in Sydney NSW, I was thrilled to find the sculptures of Australian sculptor Betram Mackennal in their collection, along with some of my favorite PreRalphealite and late 19th c. paintings. We were extremely honored to have the Art Museum's Senior Conservator, Basia Dabrowa, give us a three hour personal tour of the collections! Basia's main focus is conservation of artworks which includes restoring or recreating frames for these artistic masterpieces. Her work is phenomenal and she is in demand to speak on her innovations and conservation efforts. Basia inspired me deeply, not only in the areas of frames but her work has intriqued me to consider creating specific bases, plinths and pedestals for my sculptures. I could easily have spend the entire day talking with Basia and listening to her talk about her work.
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| Basia's husband, Grzegorz Dabrowa, is also in artistic conservation, yet in the field of sculpture. He graciously met us in Waverly Cemetery to speak to us about his conservation work on the Irish Memorial.
Grzegorz is also a sculptor, having one of his works purchased for the personal collection of John Paul II.
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| The Tour of NSW continued Felix, our friend and host, took our family to view Churches, Cathedrals,Cemeteries and the Arthur Stace (Mr. Eternity) grave, We also visited the Strzelecki Monument with nearby memorials to his humanitarian work in Ireland during the famine. We climbed the highest point in Australia: Mt Koscsiuszko where I attempted in the fierce wind to paint a field sketch. Our last night was filled with a delicious supper and delightful conversation with the folks of the Kosciuszko Heritage. |
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| I am still musing in my heart over all we got to experience in the Land Down Under. It was a joy to see one of my sculptures that I never thought I would be able to see 'in situ' and seeing the Art, Animals, Land and People of Australia has left precious fingerprints on my heart. I have now returned from sun-filled vistas to my very cold studio, but I am inspired anew in more ways than one from this blessed trip. G'Day mate! |
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