CURRENT EXHIBITION
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WILD CATARACT
An exhibition of paintings revealing the wild side of Launceston’s Cataract Gorge.
Madeline Gordon Gallery
57 George Street
Launceston
Opening Wednesday 15th January
From 6.00pm
Gallery open hours Wednesday – Friday / 11 am – 5 pm
Saturday / 10 am – 1 pm
Other times by appointment For all sales please contact gallery or buy online through the gallery. madelinegordongallery.com.au
CATARACT GORGE SERENITY
Oil on Canvas
92 x 66cm
$3,200 (Sold)
TIME STOOD STILL
Oil on Canvas
92 x 66cm
$3,200
SECOND BASIN FLOW
Oil on Canvas
92 x 66cm
$3,200
MORNING LIGHT - FIRST BASIN
Oil on Canvas
92 x 66cm
$3,200
A NEW DAY - FIRST BASIN
Oil on Canvas
56 x 51cm
$1,400
BENDING INTO SECOND BASIN
Oil on Canvas
56 x 51cm
$1,400 (Sold)
TIMELESS RUSH II
Oil on Canvas
56 x 81.5cm
$2,400
TIMELESS RUSH
Oil on Canvas
56 x 81.5cm
$2,400 (Sold)
WILD CATARACT
Oil on Canvas
56 x 81.5cm
$2,400 (Sold)
WILD GRANDUER
Oil on Canvas
107 x 71.5cm
$4,050
WILD CATARACT II
Oil on Canvas
107 x 71.5cm
$4,050
STILLNESS II
Oil on Canvas
107 x 71.5cm
$4,050
STILLNESS
Oil on Canvas
56 x 81.5cm
$2,400
INTO THE CATARACT
Oil on Canvas
51 x 56cm
$1,400 (Sold)
SLOWLY GLIDING - SECOND CATARACT
Oil on Canvas
51 x 56cm
$1,400
ARTIST STATEMENT
Launceston’s Cataract Gorge existed long before humans were around to discover it. Rivers and creeks have, over millions of years, cut through and eroded away a few thousand metres of uplifting sandstone to expose the dolerite of the Gorge. This is the same dolerite that has been unroofed all across the state from here to Tasman Island, Mt Ossa and further south-west to the remnants atop Mt Sedgewick. Here in Launceston the dolerite has sunken into a geological fault graben and has been cut through by the South Esk River it on its way to kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary.
Three clans (Tyerenoterpanner, Paninher and Lettrermaireener) of the Stoney Creek Nation shared a belonging and spiritual history with this place over thousands of generations before the intrusion of European culture. Their name for the river where people gathered for exchange and ceremonial events was Pleepertoomerla.
Since the late 1800’s “The Gorge” or First Basin area has seen many changes including formal lawns, a swimming pool, restaurants, suspension bridge, rotundas, peacocks, chair lift, and trails.
The intention of my exhibition is to show the wilder side of Cataract Gorge, to enable others to see the Country the way First Nations people may have experienced it. Even from within the manicured grooming of the First Basin, a sense of wildness can still be glimpsed from certain vantage points; two paintings in the exhibition depict views from the central causeway. Some paintings look eastward into the First Cataract revealing scenes of tranquil waters bound by rock walls contrasting with other images depicting waters flowing around the rocks it has slashed through toward the estuary beyond.
Upstream of the First Basin, what I call the Second Cataract, is a deep chasm of rugged grandeur that could rival many a wild river. The interest for me lies not in created trails that force a distant overview, but in the rocks at the water’s edge looking along the river surrounded by its precipitous, walled confines. Down where the action is. In places where one can feel alone, watched and guided by the very river, trees and rocks themselves. Immersed in its sounds and visual magnificence. Feeling my own spiritual connection. Knowing there are limitations to my presence and cautiously finding the way out safely.
Our Gorge is a place of remarkable beauty, culture and history. Please respect it and always be aware that like any wild place, dangers are present.
Three clans (Tyerenoterpanner, Paninher and Lettrermaireener) of the Stoney Creek Nation shared a belonging and spiritual history with this place over thousands of generations before the intrusion of European culture. Their name for the river where people gathered for exchange and ceremonial events was Pleepertoomerla.
Since the late 1800’s “The Gorge” or First Basin area has seen many changes including formal lawns, a swimming pool, restaurants, suspension bridge, rotundas, peacocks, chair lift, and trails.
The intention of my exhibition is to show the wilder side of Cataract Gorge, to enable others to see the Country the way First Nations people may have experienced it. Even from within the manicured grooming of the First Basin, a sense of wildness can still be glimpsed from certain vantage points; two paintings in the exhibition depict views from the central causeway. Some paintings look eastward into the First Cataract revealing scenes of tranquil waters bound by rock walls contrasting with other images depicting waters flowing around the rocks it has slashed through toward the estuary beyond.
Upstream of the First Basin, what I call the Second Cataract, is a deep chasm of rugged grandeur that could rival many a wild river. The interest for me lies not in created trails that force a distant overview, but in the rocks at the water’s edge looking along the river surrounded by its precipitous, walled confines. Down where the action is. In places where one can feel alone, watched and guided by the very river, trees and rocks themselves. Immersed in its sounds and visual magnificence. Feeling my own spiritual connection. Knowing there are limitations to my presence and cautiously finding the way out safely.
Our Gorge is a place of remarkable beauty, culture and history. Please respect it and always be aware that like any wild place, dangers are present.