CRAFT + DESIGN CHALLENGE

And that’s a wrap — 

Some fabulous work created by almost 400 artists and makers during July thanks to the Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge 25. Thirty-one days of creating in some shape or form, on the theme of ‘Rewilding.’ All the participants produced really impressive and inspiring bodies of work. You can see it all on Instagram. Including stuff by me. Writers welcome so there I am – infiltrating as as one friendly voice said.

The theme fits well with my current poetry project. (Tell you later.) I wrote draft prose poetry, semi-memoir (as poetry often is) and micro poems/haiku, sometimes combining them with quick splashy paint sketches as a (desperate) way of presenting them visually (not that that’s essential). Some days I produced art & text works which I do periodically — acrylic paint on small canvases with either found text or original haikuish pieces. It depended on what time I had that day or whether the daily word prompt had me flowing or floundering. 

Mostly motivating though occasionally frustrating, like when you come up with a great response to a prompt one day, only to find it fits a future prompt even better dammit. 

So … 16 small art & text canvases, a bunch of haikuish bits, a sprinkling of prose poetry drafts. Plus my Instagram account has moved from ‘No posts yet’ to 54 posts and 341 followers (I was so lagging) including many amazing creatives — thank you all. 

Prompt: Propagation 
Size: 13 cm x 13 cm #cdccreativechallenge25

I’m very grateful to Craft + Design Canberra for this opportunity. It came at the right time. Just when I’m pushing hard at getting back into the swing of writing and thinking about those same subthemes in a Binalong to Canberra context. (Prompt words included: water, moon, abundance, rejuvenate, nest

twined, rhythm, naked, feral ...) A big shout-out to artist daughter Aroona Murphy who still keeps a close eye on the Canberra arts scene all the way from Ireland, and brought it to my attention. 

So July challenge … I guess that’s a wrap! Or is it … have already started on art & text on canvas versions of the sketchy pieces. Let’s see what the end of August brings. And PS: regional poetry workshops rolling out soon — Yass, Young, Goulburn.

Prompt: Rhythm — Take 2
Size: 13 cm x 13 cm
#cdccreativechallenge25 

Prompt: Rhythm — Take 1
#cdccreativechallenge25 

ZINE FEATURED IN AXON JOURNAL

I’m so pleased to have an e-zine published in the Axon: Creative Explorations — Text/Page/Art issue edited by Caren Florance. It’s just a 12 pager talking briefly about my creative process involving collage and found text, and responses in poetry followed by responses through small paint on canvas works. It features a series of the latter. Hope you like some of them.

Climbing Back up your Own Silk Screen is one of five downloadable zines. There are also essays, photo and visual essays, essay-poems, stories, poetry, memoir and images by about thirty writers and artists. Go there.

[Breaking in a new iPad so no images yet and some dubious editing.]

BRUSH WITH POETRY TODAY!

 C'mon — it's warm in the car and warm in the venue ... there's wine ... there's coffee ...

Another open mike and it's on today. A Brush with Poetry this afternoon 1.30 for 2.00 pm (or arrive when you can). It's warm as toast and so is the welcome and Café hosting. Bring a poem (or a song) or just come to listen. It's serious, it's fun, it's moving. Something for everyone. Bring a friend. New and experienced very welcome to share the open mike. Binalong poets, Yass poets, Canberra poets and other neighbouring regions. It's in The Hive at the back of Café on Queen, Queen Street, Binalong. Enquiries to Brush Coordinator Robyn Sykes robynsykespoet[at]gmail[dot]com Emcees are Robyn with Greg Piko.

Above: Robyn introducing the popular Janne Graham from Canberra. Below: 1. art & text with Kate O'Connor (Binalong), 2. Sandra Renew winner of the ACT Writers Notable Awards for Poetry 2021 for her collection It’s the sugar, Sugar (Recent Work Press), 3. Jenny McCallister and John Ward — haiku, song and music.

POETRY CALLS — BE QUICK!

 

Some poetry submission opportunities:

March 5

Quick! The fabulous Cordite Poetry Review's current submission call is for Cordite 109: No Theme 12, with guest editors Caitlin Maling and Nadia Rhook. Closes 11.59 pm Melbourne time, March 5.

April 28

Rabbit: A Journal of Nonfiction Poetry — always fascinating — is calling for submissions on the theme of Archive: 'How can we, as poets, return to the archive and reanimate voices and lives silenced through time and the resolve of official record-makers?' Closes April 28. Check the guidelines here and consider this: 'Name a poem that you like that draws on/relates to archival research/thinking and why you like it.' That's got you thinking! Send brief response with your poems and bio. Guest editors are Anne Casey and Jason Wee.

Open

Go to https://www.poetryfoundation.org for information on submitting to the Poetry Foundation's Poetry Magazine. Submissions seem to be open. Poetry has been running for 110 years. The Poetry Foundation also publishes essays, interviews, profiles and podcasts on its website.

Palette Poetry is open all year. Guidelines here: https://www.palettepoetry.com/submit/ Palette says: 'The world is eager for poets. In 2016, more people spent their hard-earned money on poetry books than in any other year on record.' Good news — I'd love to know more about those stats ... 

Photo: Ask a Rabbit by Lizz Murphy 

(acrylic and found text, 10 x 10 cm); private collection of Brad Scowcroft; 

from the solo exhibition Piece of Place 2022 with thanks 

to the Rabbit journal for the text (found in their Contents pages)

PIECE OF PLACE/FINDING OUR WAY HOME

Lizz Murphy/Kate O'Connor opening Friday 6 pm

'Here we are/where are we?' an old regular would frequently say at the local pub, on his visits to Binalong. I'm thinking it kinda sums up what Kate O'Connor and I are exploring in our linked exhibitions Finding our Way Home (Kate) and Piece of Place. They open together on Friday, November 4 at 6 pm — no formalities — just wine, nibbles, pizza pieces in The Hive at the rear of Café on Queen, Queen Street, Binalong. We have each painted over thirty works most of which are just 10 x 10 cm or 15 x 15 cm. It's a buy-and-take-away scenario — and we hope you do!

Working in acrylic and paint-pen on tiny canvases, Kate has created paintings, maps and verse — landscape, abstracted imagery, coded poems, landmarks and memories — helping her map 'the way home.' I track, I trace the outline of a past I cannot place/I make histories in the clouds/The branch, that one bird song at three — Finding our Way Home is supported by the Yass Valley Arts Trail.

I have worked in acrylic paint with found text on canvas, capturing vintage objects (and memories) from over the years and also created a sequence of Tree Haiga — close-ups of bark and leaves with haiku poems representing my place. roots run deep/knot old and new/rephrasing/the song of you — Piece of Place is supported by a Southern Tablelands Arts Micro Grant (a Covid initiative).

The exhibitions continue over the weekend from 10 am to 4 pm as part of the Yass Valley Arts Trail which is responsible for an explosion of art across the region November 5-6. Visit their Facebook page to find out more. 

More Yass Valley Arts Trail events in Binalong:

Same venue — still a space or two in Poetree my tree-themed workshop, Sunday at 10 am — contact me on lizzmurphy7[at]gmail[dot]com And in the afternoon all are welcome at Binalong Arts Group's pop-up Brush with Poetry (coordinator Robyn Sykes) featuring Sarah St Vincent Welch. Includes tree themes — join in the open mike with a tree poem (or any). Sunday 2-4 pm. Visit nearby exhibitions/open studios at the Old Bakery Gallery and Peter Minson Art Glass.

I SPY A POETRY READING

Truth © Lizz Murphy Mixed Media work in progress

Long time no see. I haven’t been on strike — just not been keeping up! Started this mixed media work (20x25 cm) recently with a random bird image and found text which took me one way or another into internet espionage. More concerned with government control and censorship. It should become a poem or two. Meanwhile while wondering what the bird had to do with anything, I discover that 'bird' is the back end process behind iCloud. No I don't know what that actually means yet but hey. Makes the bird image relevant  With many thanks to the inspirational Kate O'Connor for her Painting at the Pub workshop held in Binalong last weekend — part of the Binalong Arts Group’s ongoing program.

 

I don’t have any readings coming up myself which is fine as I’m meant to be head down writing and painting, but you might like to attend these if you’re in the neighbourhood:

That Poetry Thing that’s on at Smith’s on Monday Nights continues to deliver a dynamic program. On March 2 (tonight!) it’s Mirsad Ramic & Alasdair Carter and March 9 it's Sarah Rice & Claire Albrecht. Starts at 7.00 pm. Smith’s Alternative in the Melbourne Building, 76 Alinga Street, Canberra. Watch for more poetry events at Smith’s including the launch of two poetry collections That Other World & People by Yass Valley's Jane Baker on March 30 at 5.30 pm. Have a gourmet sandwich and drinks after and stay on for the regular That Poetry Thing. Actually I think it’s a Not Very Quiet reading.

Geoff Page’s monthly poetry program has moved from University House (ANU) while they renovate, to Beyond Q bookshop another great venue in Weston ACT. Masses of second-hand books, meals and snacks. Note: BYO. Don’t miss Jessica L. Wilkinson of Melbourne, the main feature at the next reading on Wednesday March 11 at 7.00 pm.  The evening will begin with a tribute reading for Gwen Harwood’s centenary by three well-known local poets: P.S. Cotter, Penelope Layland, Russell Erwin. Bookings are not necessary, but you will cheer Geoff he says if you let him know you’re coming, on gpage40[at]bigpond[dot]net[dot]au

Binalong Arts Group’s Brush with Poetry kicks off this month at its current delightful venue (as opposed to former delightful venues), Café on Queen, Queen Street, Binalong with a shared mike on Sunday March 29 at 1.30 for 2.00 pm. Arrive any time but getting in early with your first coffee orders is a good idea — arrive even earlier and have lunch! BYO. All styles of poetry — serious, intense, hilarious — plus music and song very welcome. Coordinated by Robyn Sykes: robynsykespoet[at]gmail[dot]com and co-emceed by Robyn and Gregory Piko. This event is held on the last Sunday of the odd months from here on.

I’ll be back with more.
 

POSTCARDS FROM THE SKY TALKS & POETRY

Postcards from the Sky has been running at the Belconnen Arts Centre since early February. Your last chance to see this art & text exhibition is this weekend but the good news is you could also catch the last talks and poetry readings. Be there Sunday at 2 pm for PS Cottier, Hazel Hall, Kathy Kituai, Chris Mansell (tbc), Melinda Smith. The topic is Living the Studio. They'll also share poetry related to the exhibition theme. 

The exhibition has been a fabulous success with visitors fully engaging with the poetry as well as the visual aspect of the diverse works. Above is Melinda Smith's Orion as a woman unhelped by White Ribbon (foreground). It was terrific to have Wollongong artist Michele Elliot (below) here for the opening — in the flesh after many weeks of online collaboration. Postcards from the Sky (main foyer) opened together with Gaia Hypothesis (main gallery) on February 8. Over 200 people attended including Canberra installation artist Cheryl Jobsz (seated left). Just behind her you can see someone using speech time to read Chris Mansell's suspended postcards where Sky has sent handwritten messages to humanity. The Living Studio continued throughout the exhibition with extra artists and writers joining in. More on that later.

Here I am with Michele Elliot and our Skylines collaboration

Over 200 people at the dual openings.

SKYLINES 4

Handkerchiefs 
over noses mouths

above is umber
the sun a burn hole
moon a light stain
one breakthrough star

black-faced brown crows
line the bridge  men below
deal their hands

Lizz Murphy

 

who left this

leaf trick

disguise over eight

letters wait

a hand held still

inside a full house

Michele Elliot

Skylines is a collaboration between Michele Elliot and
Lizz Murphy which has grown out of the One Sky Many Stories exhibition 

at Belconnen Arts Centre ACT 2018.


 

POSTCARDS FROM THE SKY INVITATION

Writers and artists are invited to participate in Postcards from the Sky a 5-week living studio in the Belconnen Arts Centre (BAC) which has grown out of the recent One Sky Many Stories: What the Stars Mean to You exhibition.

Dates:     Thursdays Nov 15-Dec 13

Time:     10.30 am-12.30 pm

Address: 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, ACT

The emphasis is on art & text including cross-art, ekphrastic works, artists books etc — whatever you are inspired to do — the sky’s the limit. Work in situ independently or potentially in collaboration with other practitioners, generate new ideas, display work/in progress created during the living studio. Enjoy the space offered in the BAC foyer and meeting others interested in investigating the theme.

The first week will include a meet & greet, guidelines for working together and some discussion on what the stars mean to you. Bring your own research materials (maybe some to share) or prompts; bring your own writing or/and art tools and materials.

One Sky, Many Stories explores western and Indigenous conceptions of the night sky. The Griffyn Ensemble, directed by Michael Sollis, has been asking ‘what the stars mean to you’ since they first performed Southern Sky in 2012, and recently travelled to Tennant Creek to discover and create some more stories and songs about the stars.

In recent months BAC has hosted a One Sky Many Stories live concert by the Griffyn Ensemble and Living Studio in the main gallery with several artists developing new work. Postcards from the Sky is the latest activity at BAC exploring One Sky Many Stories: What the Stars Mean to You.

See the BAC website for more information on One Sky Many Stories:

https://www.belconnenartscentre.com.au/exhibitions/one-sky-many-stories/

View Southern Sky at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcLh_lbil0Enquiries

RSVP would be helpful — cheers.

lizzmurphy7[at]gmail[dot]com 

Image: Postcard #1 by Chris Mansell who visited during the living studio in the main gallery. She responded with a series of postcards which were displayed until November 1 when we all bumped out to make way for Lucy Irvine's large-scale woven sculpture Made of Holes — part of the Design Canberra Festival.

SKYLINES 3

Remembering the moonlight   drawing on sea blanket

Michele Elliot

 

I travel

for the skies

draw stars

Lizz Murphy 

SKYLINES 2

out of weather grey   creeps night

                     Lizz Murphy 

out of night sky   awash blue

Michele Elliot 

 

ONE SKY — SKYLINES 1

Wollongong-based artist Michele Elliot said recently let's indulge in an online collaboration of words and images. Oh joy said I!

So why not on the theme of One Sky Many Stories for the Belconnen Arts Centre (BAC) — many thanks to Moni McInerny for inviting us to join in. Over the next few weeks we'll periodically post Skylines here, at Project 366 and on Instagram @michele_elliot_artist. It's a bit random — we're doing what we can when we  can and it's up for grabs who provides images or/and words at any time but there is a commitment to responding to one another's work somehow. Michele kicks it off beautifully:


 SKYLINES 

1.

 

Photo by Michele Elliot

 
 
skylines treetops
clouds scratch flag

Michele Elliot




 
scratch


a stellar creature
rubs its back
against the sky


Lizz Murphy

ONE SKY — ADD A POSTCARD

This is where my One Sky Many Stories is up to (at October 12). Some of the early puddles have come down, and the micro poems and found text now make up a second arc (reminiscent of The Milky Way from above). There is quite a bit of reading (about 15 poems of one kind or another). I think I might aim longer term for one strong poem arranged in a similar way but line by line in large text. 

Meanwhile a trickling in of delicious 'Postcards from the Sky' to add to the wall (far left): poems by Kathy Kituai and Sarah St Vincent Welch. More to come in including images by Deborah Faeyrglenn. See also a close-up of another art & text piece below.

ONE SKY: FOUND POEM

Learning the night sky ... is one of a few found poems I've created as part of One Sky Many Stories. The main gallery in Belconnen Arts Centre has become a poetry refuge when I can steal a couple of hours from a busy schedule. Always hankering after something more in-depth I continue to scud through the topic and to write or make micro poems. So much fun though.

ONE SKY POETRY WALL

Taking shape

ONE SKY LIVING STUDIO

After the One Sky Many Stories concert

So delighted to be one of the local arts practitioners invited into the Living Studio at Belconnen Arts Centre (BAC), working to the theme of One Sky, Many Stories.

I intermittently experiment with visual arts to find words. Sometimes the experiments become small art & text works; sometimes they grow into poems I wouldn’t otherwise have written. For One Sky, Many Stories I’m drawn towards mixed media works on paper incorporating charcoal, pencil, ink, torn paper, text. I hope for a good poem out of that. That’s the feeling at the moment anyway. There will be other writing too.

No obligation to complete works at this stage which is just as well as I'm still puddling about. Some of said puddles pictured above after the concert with astronomer Fred Watson, centre (and Aroona Murphy in the background).

Meanwhile the One Sky, Many Stories: What do stars mean to you? performance by the Griffyn Ensemble, Michael Sollis, Arrente man Warren H Williams and Fred Watson at BAC on August 18 was superb. Visit the Griffyn Ensemble website to find out more about this project and to sample some of the music. 

ON THE GUILTY PURSUIT - POETRY & ART

Media: Oil pastel, collage, found text on paper. © Lizz Murphy

ON THE GUILTY PURSUIT

Back at the wharf,
on the guilty pursuit
I sallied forth
With the sun dipping low

Each time, the story deepens,
"Older thinkers had been wiser
Myth was no mere
stoush

Mystically I offer
years of human history
suspect of sins.
handle it.

In my life, I have had opportunities
"I am very grateful for that."

                         Several steps more


--
This is not an ending, this is a beginning. Thank you Kit Kelen and all the Project 365+1 contributors. It's been wonderful - even the days that had me cursin. Happy new year. 
--

Above is the last of my posts in Project 366. Some of the poets and artists are continuing on into 2017 such is their passion for daily making and posting, so the blog is still live and vibrant. I need to take stock. I know I gained so much from participating in the project not the least of which was being in that creative and supportive space with other poets for the whole year. Indebted to instigator/coordinator Christopher/Kit Kelen. 

See some previous posts for more about how I survived. There are also three pieces at the project's metablog: click here for In for the long haul; here for Bungee jumping: A response to Kit Kelen’s upside down meditation on daily practice; here for Get over yerself (my response to questions posed by Kit).

A number of the other participants have also posted about their experience and it's interesting reading indeed. Kit Kelen's Rather a long rant about it all is a terrific discourse which includes the background to Project 366, contemporary Australian poetry and publishing, the 'star system,' funding, community, Kit's own creative process and more ... Pour a glass of wine and settle in.