Page 57 - Tropic Magazine Issue 32

TROPIC • ARTS

While the name KickArts embodied the
renegade dynamism of the 90s in Cairns,
NorthSite is a fresh platform that invites
people to interact and contribute. Site is
about place and plays on the idea of ‘sight’
– it’s about vision, looking and seeing the
world differently, and connecting with new
perspectives and ideas through the work of
contemporary artists.

What’s on at NorthSite
Lenore Howard
Beyond the Sight of Land

Lenore Howard, a founding member of KickArts Collective and
former board member and exhibitor over the years,
is currently showing a bold new body of abstract work at NorthSite
Contemporary Arts. Beyond the Sight of Land steps from collage to
mono-printing and painting, presenting sharp two-dimensional
sculptural forms that lead the viewer across time and space.
The result is compositions laden with tension and balanced resolve.
“Some of these paintings have months of layers over the top of
them, which I then sand off and start again. There is no story to the
work,” Lenore told Tropic. “I'm not showing my angst with this, I'm
2 not showing anger or happiness or anything else … it’s just about
being completely involved in the materiality of the process.
1
Being engaged in it. That's what this exhibition is about. The title of
the show, Beyond the Sight of Land, is a metaphor for leaving behind
“It’s quite an industrial feeling as there’s the material world and going on an adventure.”
a lot of exposed concrete ceilings and
cable trays. It’s amazing what you can
do when you’ve got great artists,
a blank space, some paint, power points,
projectors and moveable walls!”
NorthSite isn’t all about its interior
display though. The organisation
conducts interactive programs – its
panel discussion on climate change
involving town planners, scientists,
and ecologists with artist Yandell Walton
is just one recent example –
as well as art workshops, school tours
and consultancies. Unhindered by
border restrictions, the team typically
travels both regionally and nationally to
collaborate with other artists and 3
art companies.
“Our team is really looking forward 1. Artwork on Bulmba-ja Façade created with the Billy Missi Estate. Consultation
to a time when flight paths, audience (Gudakathurai), 2020, digital animation, LED strips on building, courtesy of the Billy
confidence, and caps on visitation to Missi Estate and NorthSite Contemporary Arts.
events lifts,” Ashleigh told Tropic. 2. Yandell Walton, Uprise, 4 channel projection installation with sound. Sound
design Michele Vescio with William Elm. Animation Tobias Edwards. Installation
“While we miss the liveliness of the city with sound at NorthSite Contemporary Arts. Image: Michael Marzik
and the rotation of people from across the 3. Lenore Howard, Exhibition Beyond the Sight of Land at NorthSite Contemporary
world on our doorstep, we are planning Arts. Image: Michael Marzik
a huge 2022 for the arts in Cairns. MORE: northsite.org.au
We hope to see you at Bulmba-ja soon.”

57 • tropicnow.com.au