A new book celebrating the evolution of the arts phenomenon that was Brunswick Street is set to be launched in Castlemaine this Saturday.
Bohemian Brunswick Street – Inviting, Thrilling & Far-reaching!!! is the third edition of the original book on the organic arts movement that evolved out of Brunswick Street and has a connection to Castlemaine with many of those artists from Fitzroy and Northcote having subsequently settled here.
The book will be launched with a special event featuring fabulous music, food, friends and cocktails at the exotic Maurocco Bar in Templeton Street at 2pm.
The new offering has been penned by the original authors and Brunswick Street artists Anne Rittman and Maz Wilson of the former Pigtale Pottery and founders of the Women’s Gallery.
Anne told the Express the original book focused on the institutions that popped up along the desolate street dotted with empty warehouses a short stroll from Melbourne University and RMIT. Cafes such as The Black Cat, Rhumbarellas and Mario’s and theatre restaurants such as The Flying Trapeze and The Comedy Café.
“It also focused on some of the key people who were pivotal at that time. However, the sizeable new edition delves more into the artists themselves, their stories and their diverse fields of work,” she said.
“The meteoric rise of Brunswick Street was a cultural explosion of art, theatre, fashion, music, sexuality, feminism, politics and culture, the likes of which we will never see again,” Anne said.
The area saw three sub-cultures – grungers, bohemians and radical feminists – rubbing shoulders.
“Many of the artists and groups that found their humble beginnings in Brunswick Street have gone on to be household names today, including the Comedy Festival and Circus Oz,” Anne said.
The Castlemaine painter, filmmaker, writer and social activist said the latest adaptation of the book was really born from a chance meeting with local artist Brenda Walsh who stopped to say hello at Anne’s weekly stall at Castlemaine’s popular Wesley Hill Market.
“Brenda Joy, as she was known then, was a country and western singer back in the Brunswick Street days playing venues such the Champion and Marijuana House. She later attended RMIT graduating with an Bachelor of Arts Honours degree and paints the most amazing whimsical dog portraits and paintings influenced by early Christian art, the Renaissance masters and Surrealism,” Anne said.
“It got me thinking that Brenda should have been featured in the book and then I began thinking about all the other incredible artists who could have been included,” she said.
This sparked a six-month odyssey of discovery as Anne researched and collated information on a host of artists linked to that time.
“We compiled a series of 12 questions to for each interviewee to really delve into their background and memories of that period,” Anne said.
“The final result is a gorgeous encyclopaedia-style book, which spans 16 years’ work and not only celebrates the movement and the artists but encapsulates images of many of their works for posterity, capturing a unique moment in time.
“Our intention was to create the collective voice of Brunswick Street in an engaging and insightful way. This was done by way of interviews, photographs and accounts, given by creative people across a broad range of disciplines from artists, musicians and comedians to actors, writers and even supermodels,” she said.
To RSVP to Saturday’s launch text Anne at 0407 765 963. To order a copy of the book email annerittman6@gmail.com or text Anne at the number above.
At Saturday’s launch the local screenwriter will also be launching a crowdfunding campaign for her next project – a feature film production, Tomboy, to be filmed around Castlemaine and surrounds. The semi-autobiographical story tackles the life of a lesbian growing up in rural Victoria in the 1960s.
“I am partnering with filmmaker Angelo Salamanca on this next project and now that the book is complete and set to go out into the world. I can’t wait to get started!” Anne said.
