Creativity and connection

Peace of Green Gallery is owned, managed, operated and funded by its local member artists. This August they will celebrate 30 years of bringing creativity, collaboration and connection to the hinterland.

By Victoria McGuin

Ten years ago, the Hinterland Times wrote a feature to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the artist cooperative and gallery, Peace of Green, so it’s only fitting we celebrate again for their 30th anniversary!

From the green-framed, double bay windows to the array of artists’ work inside, this is a welcoming creative haven you simply must visit when you are in town.

When I recently stopped by, I was lucky enough to meet with seven members of the Peace of Green cooperative, which is coincidentally the number of artists who began this gallery.

Owned and operated by all the artists involved, there are now 26 members whose work is on display, and every day at least one artist is there to serve customers and chat about the eclectic range of art.

“We have card makers, digital artists, fashion designers, glass artists, painters, jewellers, multi-media artists, homeware designers, photographers, painters and a metal-worker,” shared Joanna O’Brien.

Joanna makes limited edition leather handbags, clothing and accessories at her Sunshine Coast Hinterland studio.

“I trained at the London College of Fashion in clothing technology, and over time I realised my passion was not just clothing, but also leather.

“I’m inspired by my travels, and I’m always attracted to colour, which you will see in my designs,” Joanna said with a big smile.

“I love coming in to work here, meeting customers and talking about art like this. It’s great to be part of a like-minded group showing our ideas.”

As I wandered through the space, I enjoyed the personal element of each artist sharing their work and inspirations with me – this intimacy is one of the huge benefits of visiting a cooperative art space.

Paper and Printmaker, Jacky Lowry, showed me her ‘real-plant-based’ collagraphs: hand-printed and hand-coloured, these are beautiful visual connections to nature.

“I was inspired by my childhood spent along the banks of the Canning River, Western Australia,” Jacky said. “I also studied science and biology, and especially loved the scientific illustrations, which have influenced my work.”

Jacky shared her thoughts on being part of the cooperative with almost a tear in her eye, such is her obvious affection for the group. “This is one of my families. I just love being part of Peace of Green, and it’s an excellent outlet for my art.”

Noela Mills is a multi-disciplinary artist, with an impressive array of work on display, from cards to jewellery to paintings.

Noela’s love of the Zen Buddhist philosophy of ‘wabi sabi’ permeates her work. “I love honouring things that are old, worn, organic, recycled and having an inherent energy or a history of their own,” she said.

Line and texture, with patterns and designs from nature are very apparent, in particular, the marks made by the Australian Scribbly Gum moth feature heavily in her art.

“I have also been influenced through my trips to Japan and China. I like to use minimalist compositions and enjoy creating art with free-flowing Asian-styled brush marks,” Noela said.

Next I saw beautiful hand-crafted sandals by Gillian Pechey, and impressionistic landscape paintings by Sally Thomson, who works in oils using a palette knife.

The artistic variety continued, with Melanie Augustin, a jeweller, photographer, and visual artist living in the Glass House Mountains.

“As I readily admit on the Peace of Green website, ‘colour is my happy place’!” Melanie said, laughing. “Vibrant colours are my inspiration, from outside my hinterland studio window, to the seasons and festivals I experienced living in Japan.”

After this visual feast I said my goodbyes, and the words from Julie Hanrahan (who was last month’s HT Artist Profile) summed up everyone’s feelings on being involved in Peace of Green.

“I’ve been a member for 15 years and I can see it makes such a difference to everyone to be part of this awesome collective where we all support one another.”

If you would like to meet the past and present artists from Peace of Green and enjoy a wide variety of art in different mediums, come along to the 30-year celebration from 4pm on Friday August 4.

Who knows, you could leave with a unique work of art, or be inspired to create some yourself.

Peace of Green is open 9.30am – 4pm, seven days a week at 38 Maple Street, Maleny. Phone: 5499 9311. Website: peaceofgreengallery.com