Snake Sessions by Branch Nebula, a new site specific performance developed alongside locals, over a two week residency in a skate park; Photo: Heidrun Löhr.
‘Life requires balance.’ said an anonymous donor to Bundanon Trust. ‘There are techniques and skills which could disappear from the face of the earth if we don’t teach them, share them. This seemed like a worthy thing to leave to the world. Something we need.’
There’s supposed to be a magic about Bundanon, former home of painter Arthur Boyd and current site of living cultural history.
Deborah Ely, CEO of Bundanon Trust agrees. ‘There’s always a hush when a class first walks into Arthur’s Boyd’s studio. The presence of Boyd is palpable in the smell of oil paint, his fingerprints on brushes and jars and his painting jumper and shoes by the chair.’
Everywhere it’s spoken of, Bundanon inspires this same reverence among those lucky enough to have visited. Wombats live under the artists’ studios and the trees are heavy with kookaburras and parrots. The grounds teem with organic life, and it’s easy to see the metaphor for the artists who teach and practice here.
With a renowned Artist in Residence program, Bundanon serves as a retreat for creators who wish to immerse themselves in nature. But the idyllic setting also serves as a valuable educational resource.
‘Former Australian Poetry Fellow Eileen Chong was recently in residence at Bundanon, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Red Room Company, to work with our environment and education teams delivering poetry workshops in the Bundanon bush for local schools and community groups,’ Ely said by way of example.
Young North Public School Adopt A School participants doing a visual arts workshop featuring the iconic Arthur Boyd’s Shoalhaven Rocks.
In addition to the specific creative arts projects and skills being explored on the properties Bundanon also shares some of Australia’s most remarkable and innovative artists with the Shoalhaven region. Projects are developed in skate parks, health centres, the prison and in local halls, with performances and presentations happening across the region. ‘Sharing our artists to enhance the artistic skills and confidence, of young people in particular, is a great gift to the South Coast.’ says Ely.
But it’s at Bundanon itself that the experience is most intense for artists and students alike.
‘Every student who comes to Bundanon witnesses the wonder of Arthur’s studio,’ said Ely. ‘All participate in creative workshops – from drawing and printmaking, to photomedia and textiles – run by our qualified educators, as well poetry, dance, singing and performance, delivered by our partner arts companies.’
As the donor explained: ‘Kids need the chance to be in a beautiful place.’ And for that, we need to keep places like Bundanon alive and thriving.
For more information about Bundanon Trust visit https://bundanon.com.au/
