Page 55 - Tropic Magazine Issue 29

TROPIC • ARTS

Digital

dreaming

INDIGENOUS ART
UMI Arts has turned its focus
to reaching online audiences.

As the arts industry recovers from
COVID-19 restrictions, it’s been a busy Encompassing stills, video and practical
and productive year for the team at UMI experience, the workshop’s overriding
Arts, however lessons learned during the aim was to engage and empower
height of the pandemic are now being participants with skills to capture “Combining theory and practice we then
nurtured. One of the starring highlights compelling images and video – that could went out and about to practise what we
of the year so far has been a Digital then be used to communicate learned which included a visit to Cairns
Imaging Workshop for members and promote their art to a broader, Botanic Gardens.”
and staff. online audience. By the end of the workshop series,
Led by one of Cairns’ best and brightest “We started the course exploring the participants were able to set up and shoot
photographers, Colyn Huber from fundamentals of lighting and exposure, artwork using a variety of equipment,
Lovegreen Photography, the workshop and focusing on ‘seeing’ the subject before including smartphones with a gimbal,
comprised six classes over three weeks capturing it,” Mr Huber said. GoPros, and high-end digital cameras.
and included the production of a short “We then discussed concepts such as
and very snappy video thanks to the help the relationship between aperture and MORE: umiarts.com.au
and expertise of Chadwa Whyte. shutter speed.

Meet the curator

Trish Barnard, UMI Arts

Trish Barnard is a descendant of the Yambina people. She claims
to be enjoying a semi-retired life at Mission Beach after working as
a curator and material culture anthropologist in the creative arts
industry for 40 years, however she maintains a busy professional life.
Despite her expert knowledge and experience, it may surprise some
that ‘artist’ is the latest string to Trish’s bow. She’s currently working
with applied art for textile and surface designs while advancing her
textured painting skills.
“Despite having a Masters in Art, I have always curated – not created
– but thanks to last year’s lockdown I finally found time to make
art,” she said.
“At the moment I am exploring patterns associated with our wet
season that will be part of a new body of work. I like creating art that
is different to what’s currently available on the market. I believe it
is absolutely essential for artists to research market demand and
undergo a process of self-evaluation.”

55 • tropicnow.com.au