7-days of Drawing – Painting – Moving at FOWLERS GAP

Rena Czaplinska-Archer, desert landscape, 2016, acrylic on paper

Desert Experience 11 to 18 September

7-days of Drawing – Painting – Moving at FOWLERS GAP
with Rena Czaplinska-Archer and Victoria Hunt

Come with us on a journey of discovery into the Australian Desert. Let go of stories, of who you are, what you know and what to expect and be open and willing to be moved by the desert. Let’s explore together and discover your creative response while being gently guided by visual artist Rena Czaplinska and movement artist and choreographer Victoria Hunt who developed this approach to art training over years of teaching together.

Mornings will begin with a somatic focus on mindfulness and movement to tune our perceptions and deepen our connection to ourselves and the world around us. As we awaken our senses while listening with the whole body, we develop poetic sensibility and intuition, which enrich our perceptions and become visible in our gestures which flow into all kinds of movements including paintings, drawings and site specific performances. We will be staying in the Sheep Station of the UNSW Fowlers Gap Research Station 115km away from Broken Hill. Each day we will be exploring different landscapes and locations through drawing painting moving followed by a group exhibition on the last day.

drawing | moving | painting | pausing | writing | slowing down | immersing | exploring

This work is informed by traditions centered in body wisdom grounded in mindful attunement including Bodyweather, Body Mind Centering, and Anna Halprin Art/Life Process. To explore the question of perceptions and the changing ways of seeing we will be “taking lessons” from selected group of Australian and international contemporary and classical artists, poets and writers as well as indigenous Aboriginal and Maori mythology. The evening program will include films about art, presentations and discussions. Small group max 16 places.

Both beginners and experienced artists, painters and dancers with interest in art and desert ecology are welcome.