I had the privilege to join the Baunti Escapes art trail last Friday…a lovely misty rainy morning on Norfolk Island – simply perfect for either doing art or marvelling at the creative talents of others. As a new mother my creative time at home seems to be on hold for the moment, so I was happy to do the latter; re-exploring the art trail of Norfolk through the fresh eyes of our Island’s visitors.
Every corner on Norfolk feels like my home, from the rocky shoreline to the steps of my grandfather’s house. As I walked into each of the locations of Baunti’s Art Trail I felt a warm fuzzy feeling of familiarity and belonging, though I also had a pleasant realisation that this experience would be different, one I had not been privy to as a Norfolk local.
The first destination was the home of John Christian. Now Johnny is one of those famed Norfolk Islanders with multiple skills and numerous jobs. You may drive with him, float with him or even eat with him during your stay on Norfolk, but if you are looking for a momento to take back home with you, then John offers the ultimate souvenir. His passion is bone carving, and his creations are so popular that John just can’t make them quick enough for the demand of Norfolk’s visitor and local market. I always knew John was an accomplished carver and highly knowledgeable of his craft, but I never knew the history behind his personal pieces, and never completely understood the cultural significance of his carvings. Some are replications of traditional Polynesian carvings, such as the mangai (fish-hook) or spiral designs, though John is an artist in his own right and the majority of the pieces are the result of excited ideas sketched on paper then finished to intricate detail. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the physical and creative process of bone carving.
We continued along New Farm Road after our visit to John’s family home, following the winding roads past the grand old Morton Bay Fig trees near the 100acre reserve and then turning left at St Barnabas Chapel. The comfy six-seater vehicle and the personal attention by our tour guide Nicki made us all feel like we were getting the royal treatment. Nicki pointed out the dramatic headland off Anson Bay with its’ rugged cliffs and white terns floating around the majestic pines…explaining that this is one of the images we’d see reproduced in Alison and Steve Ryves’ work at their cottage pottery.
Visiting Alison and Steve’s Cottage Pottery is like entering a magical world dedicated to arts and crafts. With its rural setting and old-time feel, one feels completely welcome and separate from modern worries. Steve and Alison have a great working relationship which culminates into exquisite clay pottery. Steve creates the basic shape and structure of each piece, and then Alison works her magic with her glazing techniques and imagery. A demonstration from Steve on the potting wheel left us all in awe of a skill that must have taken years to acquire. Their daughter Emily also contributes her artistic talents to the Cottage Pottery through her painting and photography. Alison also paints, makes beautiful dichroic glass jewellery and sun-dyes and prints sarongs. As I wandered through their family business with a hot cup of tea and biscuit in hand, with the rain softly falling outside, I understood completely why the Ryves family prefer to live and work ‘so far’ from town.
Our next stop was ‘Aatuti Art’, a charming A-frame building in the heart of town, home to the fabrics and artworks of Sue Pearson. One of Norfolk’s most recognised and accomplished artists; Sue largely draws her inspiration from her Polynesian heritage and Norfolk’s natural environment. Her art is an expression of love for her culture, but also for the women of the Bounty who were so often forgotten in the re-telling of our history. Sue specialises in printing, and has devised an ingenious method of imprinting her designs on fabric. What you feel should be a closely guarded secret is actually shown and explained to the art-lovers on the Baunti tour. The energy of Aatuti Art is vibrant, with clever designs and colours at every turn. Her framed artworks are strikingly beautiful, and as I watched the other ‘art-trailers’ contemplate her works, I too got lost in the message behind her imagery.
The famed ‘Cyclorama’ on Queen Elizabeth Avenue is one of Norfolk’s most popular tourist attractions, and for good reason. Taking sixteen months to completion, this 360 degree panoramic painting depicting Norfolk’s Bounty history is breathtaking in its realism and cultural significance. The accompanying soundtrack is beautifully haunting, taking you on a complete journey…one you actually feel like you have experienced by the completion of the Cyclorama. Artists Tracey Yager and Sue Draper also run ‘Guava Gallery’ which is the shop-front to the Cyclorama. Exhibiting world-class art pieces from local artists (John Christian and Alison Ryves included!) it is a real delight to witness first-hand the incredible artistic talent that resides within this tiny Island. There is always something new to admire when I visit Guava Gallery, and I love the Cyclorama more each time I visit.
After such an intimate journey with my fellow art-lovers, it was like saying goodbye to friends. One man in particular, Alan, I believe captured the true essence of the art trail. Blind from birth, Alan took great pleasure in listening, touching textures, and appreciating certain nuances of art that we could never truly understand. It made me realise that beauty can be admired on so many different levels, and that all it takes is a fresh perspective to bring something ‘old’ to life again. The Art Trail was a genuinely inspiring experience on many different levels for me, and I hope that many others take this opportunity to view Norfolk’s history and culture through its art.
