Paul at Picasso NSW Art Gallery

Dora Maar - Paris - 1937

Paul and I went to the Picasso exhibit. It was my second visit. This time I was less overwhelmed by the diversity of the chronological grouping and more in tune with the individual works. The sculptures are still the best part of the show for me. As I move through the rooms looking it is the sculptures bringing the paintings to life inhabiting the three dimensions of Picasso's perspective and his unique way of seeing the world. The portraits of Dora Maar are the resilient masterpieces of his love for women. We spent two hours in the rooms of the exhibit discussing philosophy, The French, friends and art. One day I hope to revisit these works and the many others not shown in Sydney at the Musee d'Picasso in Paris. Until then....

Sunlight

At the start of Summer in Sydney we can only hope for sunlight and this song is sending out some needed rays, Sunlight by Bag Raiders is a enjoyable track made with minimal instrumentation and these two techno musicians,
Jack Glass and Chris Stracey rock.

Blessings

I have had a wonderful year. I went back to Alexandria Park Community School and taught the Yr 12 Indigenous students, reconnecting with my training through the Koori Centre at USYD. I have seen Tom, Alex and Nick my three sons grow and change, taking on new challenges at school and in their young lives. I have travelled north and south, east and west, continuing my involvement with community for the environment as well as in wellbeing through the Crag and SANE Australia. My writing has continued to diversify and experienced a new fluency. Friends and family have rallied around me when I have needed support. I am looking forward to 2012 with a new spirit.

Tarzan and Jane

The Janes

Nick as one of the Tarzans

The Christmas Concert is always one of the highlights of Term 4. This year Nick's class performed a dance to a song called Tarzan and Jane. Nick performed all the moves and had a great time. He is not one of the most outgoing and starlight seeking kids however he had a great time participating in the act with his classmates.

Bush Regen

It started in 1999 for me, pregnant with Alex I went to the National Trust Bush Care Techniques Workshop at Mowbray Park. Then I joined my first Bush Care group in Castle Cove at the oval and learnt about what it takes to volunteer in a team. I met Dick Smith's mother who brought lovely morning teas each month and made jokes about her son and his childhood to us, I made friends with people who loved the bush and connected with them. And so to Castlecrag, finally living in bushland with its own bushcare group. In Retreat Reserve, we work in dry and wet sclerophyll rain forest and there has been bush regen on our block over the last twelve months to connect the land with the bush. Today I started my first paid bush regen job, next year I will enrol at Tafe to compete a qualification in this work. In twelve years my life has changed completely.

Picasso

Picasso in his studio in the 1960s, strong bold and innovative at the height of his skills

The crane is a symbol of longevity and peace

This Buddha is carved with two Bodhisattva in attendance, more blessings

A silver ornament worn on the back by men as part of Miao dress in China early 1900s

Robert Klippel's sculpture as perfect as his smaller models but larger than life

Watching the installation of images in the upper Asian art galleries, wrapt in silhouette



The Picasso Exhibition will run until 25th March 2012, brought to Sydney from the Musee de Picasso in Paris housed in his attelier that is being renovated while the works travel the globe.

Into my arms

Nick Cave singing Into My Arms