The Macedon Ranges has always stimulated a love of nature and an engagement with the natural world that has attracted gardeners and artists for more than a century.
To celebrate its centennial year, the Mount Macedon Horticultural Society is conducting a month-long program of events at the Mount Macedon Horticultural Hall to coincide with the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival.
An exhibition of fine botanic works by some of Australia’s leading botanic artists, entitled Autumn, is a collaboration of contemporary botanic artists who are all part of the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society.
These artists have come together to mark the remarkable achievement of both the long history of botanic art in the area and also celebrate the 100th year since the beginning of the society.
For more than a decade, the society has been supporting an active group of talented artists, many of whom exhibit both nationally and internationally.
The group includes artists who regularly exhibit in major exhibitions at both the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Sydney, as well as members who have exhibited works in major international institutions such as the Hunt Institute, USA, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London.
The Macedon Ranges has a long history of botanic artists including the 19th century Mount Macedon resident Ellis Rowan, naturalist and illustrator whose botanic artwork is in numerous national galleries and institutions; in the 20th century Joan Law-Smith, well-respected gardener, botanic artist, writer and patron who created the magnificent Macedon garden, Bolobek; in the 1980s Jenny Phillips, Kyneton, founder of the Melbourne School of Botanic Art, highly regarded international botanic artist whose work is in galleries and institutions worldwide; and 21st century Anita Barley, Woodend, currently working and residing in Kew Gardens London, botanic illustrator at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, a Fellow of the Linnean Society London, winner of numerous awards internationally and within Australia whose works are represented in multiple international galleries and institutions.
This exhibition Autumn will highlight the seasonal tones of plants that are both native to the district or form part of the cultural garden heritage that this area is so aptly known for.
Mount Macedon’s cool climate stimulates the remarkable colours of the historic hill station gardens and streetscapes.
Autumn is also the time of harvest and more recently the Macedon Ranges has become an area well regarded for its exceptionally high standard of local produce. Many of the artworks will also celebrate this time of harvest in meticulously detailed engaging artworks.
All works are exquisitely executed in fine detail using the highest quality materials and a variety of mediums including watercolour works on paper and vellum, as well as works in graphite, and pen and ink.
This is an opportunity to view and purchase original works and admire the diversity of approaches the artists employ in this highly demanding artform.
OPEN STUDIO
During the Autumn Festival, on Tuesdays, many of the artists will be demonstrating in an ‘open studio’ setting at the Mount Macedon Horticultural Hall.
Visitors will be able to view meticulously detailed artworks and meet artists who create them to discuss techniques and individual approaches of each artist in an informative and inspiring setting.
See the ‘tools of the trade’ and development of artworks in progress to learn and appreciate the these finely rendered works and observation skills of these highly trained artists.
This exhibition will form the base of the Autumn Festival with other activities run by the society during this period including botanic art workshops and garden workshops.
See the full program of events at www.mountmacedonhorticulture.org.au/news-events–calendar
