By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Creativity comes to Berwick artist Glo Edkins in sweeping, colourful brush strokes.
But the energetic painter, who has entered six portraits into the prestigious Archibald Prize, says creativity seems to be a dying art.
Ms Edkins has had her third portrait accepted at a state-based Salon des Refuses – a select exhibition of paintings that didn’t make the Archibald final cut of 42. Or also known as the ones that got away.
This year’s painting was of a treasured friend and arts volunteer Jill Page, who recently received an Order of Australia Medal.
“I tell all my friends they should do something special, and I can put them in the Archibald,” Ms Edkins jokes.
“I drew (Jill) as if she’s on stage holding a sheet of music in her hand.
“She’s sort of smiling at us like Mona Lisa.”
It’s what Ms Edkins calls a traditional portrait, something different to this year’s controversial Archibald winner.
“I thought the aim of the Archibald was to get a likeness of a person,” she says of the winner.
“If that’s what they want, next time I won’t make the effort!”
Ms Edkins says the skill of portraiture – which requires studying human beings – is being overwhelmed by photo realism. Even among Archibald works.
“People are tracing and colouring in their photos. It’s all the rage and look lovely.”
It points to a dying in creativity, she says.
“It’s extremely important that people have their own thinking and tell their own stories in painting or in writing.
“Now they’re just referring to Google!”
Her other Archibald entries have been former mayors Shar Balmes, Janet Halsall and Lorraine Wreford as well as Casey arts administrator Megan McMahon and surgeon and lecturer Bruce Waxman.
Halsall, McMahon and Waxman were subsequently selected for the Salon des Refuses.
A great inspiration was working as a PA to the late Dr Joseph Brown, a prolific Australian art collector whose collection was donated to the National Gallery of Victoria.
Staring at the genius of Arthur Boyd on a daily basis was both intimidating and inspiring, she said.
Hidden Faces: The 2017 Victorian Salon des Refuses is on from 28 August-10 September at Pan Pacific Melbourne , South Wharf, 2 Convention Centre Place, Melbourne.
Ms Edkins is also guest portrait artist at Prominence Art Society and Berwick Art Society’s “The Greatest Art Show” at Nossal High School auditorium, 100 Clyde Road, Berwick, on 23 and 24 September, 10am-5pm.
