change - Watch Arts

Toyota Community
Spirit Gallery
presents
change
an exhibition
of art &
craft by
the Toyota
community
December 3, 2008 to April 2009
Toyota Australia, 155 Bertie St,
Port Melbourne, Victoria
Inquiries Ken Wong 0419 570 846
Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday 1-5pm
or by appointment
Toyota Community
Spirit Gallery
The Toyota Community Spirit
Gallery is an initiative of
Toyota Community Spirit,
Toyota Australia’s
corporate citizenship
program.
Toyota Community Spirit
develops partnerships that
share Toyota’s skills,
networks, expertise and
other resources with the
community.
The Toyota Community Spirit
Gallery aims to provide space
for artists, especially emerging
artists, to show their work. The space is
provided free of charge to exhibiting artists,
no commission is charged on sales and Toyota
provides an exhibition launch and develops a
catalogue for each exhibition.
The gallery has now shown works by over
380 artists. This project is mounted in
consultation with the Hobsons Bay City Council
and the City of Port Phillip.
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artists
Karen Atkins
Bernie Beyer
Melissa Broad
Jennifer Brunton
Deborah Carpenter
David Chandler
Mary-Anne Doyle
Dene Faorlin
Peter Hannett
Nicolas Hogios
William Hope
Desmond Howlett
Debbie Makin
Gail McDaniel
Phi Van Nguyen
curator
Roy Oh
Annette Papax
Nicola Perkin
Stella Polyzoudis
Gary Robinson
Misako Sakai
Trevor Sevasta
Gary Smith
Robert Smith
Joe Spiteri
Russell Strobel
Tuyen Ta
Edward Tuason
Valma Wroblewski
Ken Wong
thanks to
Tania Blackwell, Hobsons Bay City Council
Louisa Scott, City of Port Phillip
Katarina Persic, Toyota Australia
catalogue
editing &
prepress
Watch Arts (watcharts.com.au)
graphic
design
Sandra Kiriacos
Images are details of works by FRONT COVER: L-R; Roy Oh, Nicolas Hogios, Melissa Broad &
Gary Robinson. INSIDE COVER: Debbie Makin THIS PAGE: Gary Robinson BACK COVER
Nicolas Hogios:
ken wong
curator
“This is the nineteenth in a continuous program of exhibitions for the
Toyota Community Spirit Gallery since its inception in 2004, and the fourth
to feature works of art and craft by Toyota employees, contractors and their
families.
Change features a record number of participants for our Toyota community
exhibition, reflecting the ever increasing influence the gallery has had
in encouraging and inspiring creativity through everyday exposure to the
creative endeavours of artists from the local community and beyond.
We live in times when the daily scale and pace of change is unprecedented.
Everywhere there is change, changes in the weather due to global warming,
changes in the world economy with the global financial crisis, changes in
leadership in the White House, changes to so many aspects of our lives, the
effects of which may be completely unpredictable.
The one thing that we can be sure of is that change is inevitable. In the
history of evolution of life on this planet, change is the one and only
constant. Indeed, it is the species that have responded and adapted to
change that have survived and prospered.
Many would say that much of the change in the modern world has been wrought
by humankind, and in this much the challenge to survive is doubly so. This
time we must not only learn to adapt to change, but as part of the cause,
we must learn to change ourselves.
This may require a greater call on our consciousness, resolve and creativity
than has ever been required before, but it may well be that our very survival
depends on it.
As individuals perhaps the best we can do is to embrace the changes that are
forced upon us, and try to respond to the mistakes of the past by building
a better and more sustainable world into the future. A world where the
precious resources and gifts that exist in the everyday world all around us
are treated with the respect they deserve. This is the challenge of our
times.
Welcome to change.”
Ken Wong is the Director of Watch Arts, a Melbourne based contemporary arts consultancy. He
has worked in the fine arts industry for over ten years in both commercial and community arts,
curating and managing a host of projects including gallery and outdoor sculpture exhibitions.
call for entries
me & my
TOYOTA
50th Anniversary Celebrations
As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations for Toyota in Australia in
2009, Toyota Community Spirit Gallery is calling for entries for an exciting
exhibition of both contemporary and historical art, photography,
stories or memorabilia that explore relationships between Toyota and
the people of Australia.
This can be through connections with Toyota
vehicles, the Toyota company, the Toyota
brand in general, or through less obvious,
$2000 Major Prize
more abstract connections. Toyota, like
many Australians, had its beginnings here
$500 Best historical
as a migrant in a strange land. On many
story or image
levels over the years, the Toyota brand
has become an iconic part of Australian
culture (for example; the Corolla and Land
$500 Best Toyota
Cruiser). Apart from its obvious contribution
employee entry
to the Australian economy, as a company
Toyota has also contributed much in terms
of sponsorship of sporting and community
events. In more recent times, it has also
become a corporate leader in environmental and social responsibility, through
various programs that give back to the broader community, like the Toyota
Community Spirit Gallery. Contemporary works of art in any medium that
explore relationships between Toyota and Australia, or simply peoples personal
stories, memories, photographs or memorabilia will all form important aspects
of this unique exhibition.
There is no cost to enter and the exhibition is open to artists, Toyota owners,
employees, dealers and the general public. Applications close March 5, 2009.
To download information and entry forms visit www.watcharts.com.au or
contact the curator, Ken Wong on 03 58214548 or [email protected]
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artists and works
page 10.
Karen Atkins I had forgotten
11.
Bernie Beyer 12.
Melissa Broad
Bali Girl 1
Acrylic on canvas, 2008
Acrylic & pastel on canvas, 2007
Desire
Daydream
Jennifer Brunton 13.
Acrylic on canvas, 2008
Acrylic on canvas, 2008
Hakea multiliniata Grassleaf Hakea
Quercus robur English Oak
14.
Deborah Carpenter
15.
David Chandler
Trapped
Leaving through the window
(Corporate Enthusiast) Digital inkjet print, 2008
Mary-Anne Doyle
16.
Thistle
Dene Faorlin
17.
Photograph, 2008 Free Falling
18.
Peter Hannett
$495
$400
$500
Watercolour , 2007 $550
Watercolour , 2007 $550
Acrylic on canvas , 2007
$3500
Acrylic on canvas, 2008
The Tigers ‘A Century of League Football’
Memorabilia, 2008
Ron Barassi Football Boot Memorabilia, 2008
NFS
$125
$350
$800
$990
$1250
Image: Detail of Free Falling by Dene Faorlin
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artists and works
page 19.
Nicolas Hogios
Suspension
Hashiriya 2030
20.
William Hope
Desmond Howlett
21.
Printed Digital Rendering, 2008
Printed Digital Rendering, 2008
1957 Chevrolets
Model cars, 2008
Sun Set over Cheetham Wetlands
Debbie Makin
22.
Cymbric Vale
Safari
23.
Gail McDaniel
Phi Van Nguyen
24.
Wishing Well
The beginning of the end The Hidden World
Roy Oh
25.
Poe-trait Move over, Poe..
Annette Papax
26.
Awakening
Nicola Perkin
27.
Dust Storm#1, 2008 28.
Stella Polyzoudis
Koi Fish Pond
Photograph, 1997
$375
$375
NFS
NFS
Mixed media, 1995
NFS
B&W photos, 2000
$300 for set
Mixed media, 2008
NFS
Digital animation
Digital animation
POA
POA
Photograph, 2007
Photograph, 2008
$111 (unframed)
$111 (unframed)
Pastel, 2008
$700
Oil on canvas, 2008 $1000
Mosaic, 2008
POA
page 29.
Gary Robinson
Last Night in Rome #1 - #4 Photograph, 2008
Misako Sakai
30.
NFS
Fantastic plastic Plastic (various), 2008
NFS
Renkon
Silver, 2008
NFS
Selection of rings Silver, 2008
$50 -$200 each
Trevor Sevasta
31.
Ella 32.
Gary Smith
Robert Smith
NFS
NFS
NFS
Photograph, 2007
Photograph, 2007
Photograph, 2007
Cascade Taking Flight Blossom
$350
Photograph, 2008
33.
Sunset
Midnight
34.
Joe Spiteri
Russell Strobel
35.
Isabelle
En Gay j’d
Tuyen Ta
36.
Photograph, 1998
Photogragh, 1998
NFS
NFS
Airbrush, 2005
NFS
Acrylic on canvas, 2008
Mystic Red Bamboo
Edward Tuason
37.
Acrylic on canvas, 2008
$170
Collage, 2008
POA
WARNING!
Valma Wroblewski
38.
$250
Sunset on a bushfire day in the High Country
Oil on canvas, 2007
$350
Image: Detail from Plastic Fantastic series (pendant) by Misako Sakai
karen atkins
represented by salmon galleries, NSW
“I love the
uniqueness of
the Australian
landscape and
the stories of
the people who
inhabit it. My
paintings are
explorations of
personal stories
and traditional
myths. Every
painting
contains a
story that I
hope, connects
with the viewer
and encourages
their own story
making, memories
and dreams.”
I Had Forgotten
Acrylic on canvas 2008, 115x105cm
$3500
Karen has always painted and art is an intrinsic part of her life and work.
She has been a professional artist for twenty years and now lives in Sydney;
her brother Craig lives in Melbourne and works at Toyota. Karen studied art
theory at Monash University and while her art practice is mostly self taught,
she enjoys the continued learning that comes from her association with other
artists and her work as an art educator. Karen is an Associate of the Royal
Art Society of NSW and this year was selected for the North Sydney Art Prize
and most recently the Mortimore Art Prize. Also in 2008, she travelled to Sharjah as a guest of
the Sheik and gave art workshops at the Sharjah Center for Culture. Karen is represented by
the Salmon Galleries in McMahons Point, Sydney.
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bernie beyer
“Art allows me to
explore personal and
meaningful issues in
my life. I feel that
it is a gift that
can bring tremendous
joy and also enable
healing on many
levels. It is my
greatest ambition
to encourage others
to explore their
inner creativity
and experience the
richness it will
create in their lives.
I have recently funded
the building of an art
gallery in Ubud, Bali,
to support the local
artists there and am
now undertaking to
exhibit their work in
Melbourne.”
Bali Girl
Acrylic and pastel on canvas 2007, 40x30cm
$495
Bernie has had a passion for creating since childhood and artistic expression
is intrinsic to her life. Over the years she has undertaken several short
courses in painting and drawing and owned her own painting business. She
is currently pursuing formal studies in transpersonal art therapy, which seeks
address how we express ourselves through art. Bernie’s brother, Anthony
works with Toyota and this is her first exhibition with the Toyota Community
Spirit Gallery.
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melissa broad
“A beautiful moment in
time can be captured
in the mind and held
for a short period
untouched. Eventually
the memory of that
moment changes and
distorts into a
fuzzy version of the
original, however the
feeling experienced
can remain as true
as the time it was
felt. My artwork is an
expression of emotion
and beauty unimpeded
by the chains of
reality. ”
Desire
Acrylic on canvas 2008, 42x30cm
$400
Melissa is an IBM project manager
and has been contracted to Toyota
since 2001. She began painting
as part of a school project in High
School and has continued to on and
off since then. She finds it a relaxing
hobby and has created many pieces
for friends and family. Her works have been exhibited
at the IBM Art Show at Southgate in 2006-07.
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Daydream
Acrylic on canvas 2008
42x30cm, $500
jennifer brunton
“I have worked as an art
director in advertising
but since retiring I
have taken classes under
Dianne Emery at the Royal
Botanic Gardens here in
Melbourne. Botanical
illustration is about
describing visually the
true form of a particular
plant or species so that
it is recognisable in
terms of its individual
characteristics. I love
the shapes, colours,
textures and forms created
in nature.”
Above image:
Quercus
robur, English Oak
Watercolour 2007, 38x39cm, $550
Image right:
Hakea
multiliniata, Grassleaf Hakea
Watercolour 2007, 43x50cm, $550
Jennifer is the wife of Geoff Brunton of Brunton Engineering and
Construction who have been contractors with Toyota since 1989. She
became interested in art and craft at secondary school and went on to
complete a Diploma of Art majoring in advertising, a career she pursued for
many years. Now retired, she has become interested in botanical art and has
exhibited her work in recent years in the Art of Botanical Illustration 2006
exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Cattanaghs Gallery in
Armadale and the Whittlesea Lions Art Show.
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deborah carpenter
Trapped
Acrylic on canvas 2007, 40x50cm
NFS
“My mother was always doing some form of artwork as I grew
up and she taught me how to crotchet, knit, do crossstitch, sew and generally create whatever I wanted. This
piece was an idea I had one day and I just decided to paint
it. It is a depiction of my minds eye and how someone can
be trapped by the fingers of a tree.”
Deborah started painting in secondary school but has always enjoyed crafts
of any kind. She is mainly self-taught, although her interest has always been
fostered by her mother Gail McDaniel, who works for Toyota in press shop
maintenance at Altona.
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david chandler
Leaving through the window (Corporate Enthusiast)
Digital (inkjet print, framed) 2008, 31x43cm
$125
David is intrigued by the possibilities of digital art and has been creating
works for the past two years. He has developed his interest with minimal
formal education. His expertise has primarily come from self-motivated
learning and trial and error, but this was supplemented when he studied art
in Year 12 as part of his VCE. His father Marke works with Toyota.
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mary-anne doyle
Thistle
Photograph 2008, 30x42cm, $350
“This photo was taken just after sunrise outside Pennyweight Flat
Cemetery in Chewton, Victoria in March 2008.
Whilst searching
for interesting subjects to photograph, I suddenly came across
this rather surreal paddock of dead Scotch thistles. After taking
several broad shots, I zoomed in on a single thistle, throwing
the background out of focus and giving the thistle a wonderful 3D
effect, as though it is leaping out of the image.”
Mary-Anne joined Toyota as Communications Co-ordinator in 1991 and
worked in Public Affairs and Human Resources. In 2005 she became the
Intranet & Communications Manager with Corporate Affairs in Strategy &
Environment Division. Her photography began when she joined Toyota,
taking photos for the employee magazine Toyota Today. Primarily self-taught,
this year she has sought to expand her skills, commencing part-time study
towards an Advanced Diploma at Photography Studies College Melbourne.
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dene faorlin
“This is the first
public exhibition
of my work. I
particularly wanted
to take advantage of
this opportunity at
the Toyota Community
Spirit Gallery as a
tribute to my father
Reno, who worked with
Toyota from 1979 to
1994, firstly as a
toolmaker then as
a dye maintenance
engineer. This
painting is a
statement about
modern life and
freedom.”
Free Falling
Acrylic on canvas 2008, 76x61cm
$800
Dene has been creating artworks for his own enjoyment for almost thirty
years, following a natural interest that is motivated by a love of life. His
practice is mainly self-taught, but he has also completed two years of study
at TAFE. His cousin Piero Falvo works with Toyota, as did his father Reno
for many years.
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peter hannett
“My hobby is
motivated by my
love of sport and
the opportunities
it creates to meet
sporting legends.
The Tigers piece is
a Centenary jumper
signed by legends
from Richmond
including captains
and coaches at
the Tommy Hafey
Centenary Dinner.
The Ron Barassi boot
was signed by Ron at
a MCG luncheon.”
Ron Barassi Football Boot
Memorabilia 2008, 120x90cm
$1250
Peter began working with Toyota
in 1996 in the paint shop at Altona
and is now working at the end of
the line. He was always a keen
sportsman and footballer, so his
interest in sports memorabilia was a
natural progression. About three years
ago he became interested in collecting items and
signatures and turning them into memorabilia.
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The Tigers ‘A Century of
League Football’
Memorabilia 2008, 120x90cm
$990
nicolas hogios
“Creativity via visual
mediums has come
naturally to me and
I have been creating
art since I was 6
years old. Expressing
ideas, imagery or form
studies in visual
mediums for others to
see is a great release
and it is satisfying
to create an emotional
reaction or connection
in the viewer. I
am particularly
interested in futurism
– graphic images
of possible future
realities. ”
Above image: Hashiriya 2030
Printed Digital Rendering 2008
85x112cm, $375
Image right: Suspension
Printed Digital Rendering 2008
85x112cm, $375
Nicolas began work at Toyota in 2003 as a senior designer at Toyota Style
Australia (TMCA’s styling design studio). He was soon promoted to Design
Manager before a ten month secondment to Design Headquarters in Nagoya,
Japan. Cars that he has designed include the exterior design of Sportivo
Coupe Concept Car and the Toyota Aurion. He has a Bachelor of Industrial
Design from University of NSW (Class 1 Hons – Dux) but his visual art
practice is mostly self-taught. This is his second exhibition with the Toyota
Community Spirit Gallery.
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william hope
1957 Chevrolets
Model cars 2008, Approx 40x15x13cm each
NFS
William works at paint shop in
Altona and has worked with Toyota
for twenty-seven years. He has
been building models since he was
fifteen and his collection includes
cars, motorbikes and trucks. He
has won various awards and had
work on display at Vic Hobby Centre in the city.
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“I have always
enjoyed building
models and these
pieces are part
of my second major
collection. The first
model I ever built
was a Harley Davidson
police motorbike. I
enjoy using my time
creatively and find
it relaxing. I like
to vary my models
from the standard
kit as it keeps
things interesting;
I modified one of
these Chevys into
a convertible by
cutting the roof off!
I have been a member
of several clubs for
many years, including
the Waverly Scale
Model Club, one of
the oldest clubs in
Victoria.”
desmond howlett
Sun Set over Cheetham Wetlands
Photograph 71x131cm, NFS
“I have been interested in photography in one form or another
all my life, at least for as long as I can remember. I
am self taught and my aim is to capture the unusual, the
strange, the unassuming and unsuspecting beauty of all things.
Photography allows me to capture a moment in time, whether
it be a structure, place, person or just the shear beauty of
the earth and its environment.”
Desmond started work at Toyota as a contractor in CSD, where he became
full time in warehousing after completing his vehicle industries certificate. He
also completed studies in workplace training and assessment and currently
still works in the Warehouse at CSD. He took a picture framing course a few
years ago and has been attending workshops and building his own frames for
his photographs ever since. His work was exhibited as part of an exhibition
entitled Nature’s Diversity at Melbourne Zoo in 2007. This is his second
exhibition with Toyota Community Spirit Gallery.
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debbie makin
Cymbric Vale
B&W photo, wood, corrugated iron 1995, 45x77x29cm, NFS
“Cymbric Vale is the name of my uncles Sheep Station in the
outback.
I made this piece whilst in Year 12 when I was
also studying Animal Behaviour. I wanted to represent the
lack of identity of the thousands of sheep that go through a
shearing shed. The sheep you see is actually the same three
individuals printed in reverse and in different shades.”
Debbie has been working as a contractor with Toyota as Events and Catering
Co-ordinator in Business Support Services over the past year. She has been
creating artworks for thirteen years and became interested in Year 9 at high
school when studying a photography elective class. She has a great love for
animals and travelling and likes to document what she sees. This is the first
public exhibition of her work since high school when she was part of the
National Gallery of Victoria’s VCE exhibition.
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gail mcdaniel
“I have been building
and making things for as
long as I can remember;
Mum was always making
craft things, knitting
sewing, sketching, etc.
Motivation for artwork
is a fickle master,
inspiration only comes
fleetingly and you need
to be on the ball or
the ideas are lost
forever. Sometimes it
is the challenge, just
to see if I can do or
make something. This
piece came about because
I wanted a wishing
well for my daughters
wedding, so after
hunting around for one
I decided to make it
instead.”
Wishing Well
Wood,ceramic, tin, felt & stone 2008, 50x35x35cm
NFS
Gail began working for Toyota in 1996 on the assembly line where she saw
a notice offering adult apprenticeships. She applied for and was successful in
obtaining and completing a Fitting and Turning Apprenticeship. She now
works with Press Shop Maintenance in Altona. Her art practice is self-taught
and over the years she has done a variety of textile and wood craftwork as
well as photography. She has been greatly inspired and encouraged by her
participation in the Toyota Community Spirit Gallery employee exhibitions
over the past few years and has recently been creating more sculptural art pieces.
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23
phi van nguyen
“As we all know
there is a huge
increase
in
plastic surgery
today following
the
fashion
or
‘trend”
in
our
society.
We
humans
are
afraid of getting
old;
therefore
plastic
surgery
has become more
and more popular.
The fact is that
every living cell
on this planet
The Beginning of the End (image still)
will
eventually
Digital animation 2004, dimensions variable
POA
die;
nothing
lasts
forever.
Plastic surgery only covers the outside. We beautify and operate
on a face, showing the face ‘before and after’ the surgery. I
have chosen to use a female face because they are most likely to
be affected by the cosmetic world and women seem to worry more
about their looks than men. I want the
audience/viewer to see what the surgeon is
doing to the face.”
Phi began work for Toyota at Altona in
2005 in the Body Shop where he worked for
three years until he transferred recently to
Assembly. He has always been interested
in designing, whether a logo, paintings, or
video and has been creating artworks for over
nine years. In 2004 he completed a Bachelor
of Design in Multimedia Design at Monash University,
Caulfield, participating in their end of year exhibition.
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The Hidden World
Revealed (image still)
Digital animation 2004,
dimensions variable
POA
roy oh
“My interest
in photography
grew from
having decided
to invest in
a Nikon D80
DSLR camera
shortly after
my daughter
was born.
Poe-trait
Photograph 2007, 21x30cm
$111 (unframed)
My enthusiasm for ‘capturing’
those special moments as they
pass by has grown into something
a little more. While my daughter
continues to be my main subject
and source of inspiration, the
web also fuels new ideas and
different methods for lighting in
photography.”
Move over, Poe..
Photograph 2008, 30x21cm
$111 (unframed)
Roy was recruited into Toyota in 2001 via the Graduate Program and has
spent the majority of his time as a Product Engineer, and then as a Supplier
Development Specialist in Purchasing. He has had the opportunity to live
in Japan and to date has enjoyed all facets of his work with Toyota. He has
been creating artwork for the past two years and this is his first opportunity
to exhibit his work in public.
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25
annette papax
Awakening
Pastel 2008, 70x88cm
$700
“In day to day life experiences I see passages, changing
times, moods of movement in and out of spirit, inspired,
reflected upon and channelled, sometimes not really knowing
what spirit chooses to express but enthused by the will to be
creative and through this medium, finding a sense of arriving
and stillness.”
Annette has been interested in art as a natural form of expression since her
youth. Over the past few years she has been creating artwork in her spare
time, motivated by a spirit of self-expression and the drive to create. Her
practice is self-taught and she recently exhibited two works in Visions of a
New World in Fitzroy and Northcote. Her partner Andrew Cross works with
Toyota.
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nicola perkin
“A recurring theme
in my paintings
is
my
response
to the Australian
landscape, from the
lines left by the
tide on the sand
to the vastness of
the horizon.
As
a migrant I have
been
overwhelmed
by the view of the
horizon and the
space in Australia
(having lived in
suburban
London,
I only ever saw
the
horizon
on
our annual seaside
Dust Storm#1, 2008
holidays!) As a
Oil on canvas 2008,76x76cm
$1000
result the horizon
has become a strong
element in my painting. There is a deliberate silence to
my paintings; an attempt to engage the viewer with space…
it is in our nature to fill that void, bringing our own
interpretation to the viewing, remembering a similar journey
or view.”
Nicola was born in London and her art practice began as a hobby over
ten years ago. She returned to formal art education as a mature student in
1999 and completed a Diploma in Fine Art at Hornsby TAFE. Following
encouragement from one of her teachers, she went on to the University of
Sydney, completing her Bachelor of Visual Art with Honours in 2004, before
going on to complete her Masters of Visual Art at Sydney College of the
Arts. Her daughter-in-law Elissa Whan works with Toyota in Melbourne.
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27
stella polyzoudis
Koi Fish Pond
Mosaic 2008, 50x60cm
POA
Stella commenced working for Toyota this year
in TSO. Her art practice has only just begun
and is self -taught except for her participation
in some community art classes.
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“This is
my first
completed
work of
mosaic and my
first public
exhibition. I
have always
loved the Koi
fish, they
fascinate
me! I love
the mirror
and glass
tiles I have
selected in
this piece;
it gives the
illusion of
water and has
beautiful
reflective
colours which
change when
placed in the
sun.”
gary robinson
Last Night in Rome #1 - #4, Photograph 2008, 66x51cm, NFS
“These images bring back a very clear recollection of our time in
Rome earlier this year. We were staying almost next door to the
main train termini which gave us easy access to all the tourist
hot spots. On our last night we went for an early evening walk
to the Spanish steps and Trevi fountain. On our way back we were
stranded by an unexpected down pour
of rain and decided to wait it out in
a nearby café. As it got darker the
scenery changed and took on a whole
new look and fascination. These are
not the usual images associated with
Rome but nevertheless represent the
rich fabric of this very interesting
and ancient city. Perhaps a story just
the same as this could be found here
in Melbourne or any other big city.”
Gary has been working at Toyota
for just over twenty years. He has
been interested in photography
since his university days and he
recently completed first year of part
time studies at PSC in Melbourne.
He enjoys the challenge of trying
to capture a visual record of some of the emotion
of being there in that frozen instant, that special
moment in time.
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29
misako sakai
“Plastics are everywhere in our
lives, and usually disposable, but
using strong, colourful plastic for
jewellery turns the material into
something more precious.”
Fantastic plastic (pendant shown)
Plastic (various) 2008,
Sizes variable, NFS
“Renkon, or Lotus Roots are
delicious to eat and so attractive
on a plate. When slices of root dry,
they shrivel up into interesting
shapes, which I used as inspiration
for this jewellery.”
Renkon (earings shown)
Silver 2008, Sizes variable
NFS
“When we wear jewellery, the pieces
we can see most are rings on our
fingers. Jewellery around the neck
and head cannot be seen easily by
the wearer, therefore, rings have a
special attraction for me.”
Selection of rings
Silver 2008, Sizes variable
$50 - $200 each
Misako has been interested in art all her life and trained as textile designer
and art teacher. She has worked as a colour and trim designer in the car
industry, but also enjoyed experimenting with new media and creating
jewellery in unexpected forms and materials over the past ten years. She is
currently studying silver smithing and jewellery design at Box Hill College.
Her husband Peter Hutchinson has been a senior designer in Toyota Style
Australia, since 2007.
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trevor sevasta
“I have always been
interested in arts and
I got in involved in
photography through
a friend a couple
of years ago. I am
self-taught and am
motivated by seeing the
end result and other
people’s reactions to
what I have produced.”
Ella
Photograph 2008, 83x63cm
$350
Trevor started with Toyota in 1994, working in assembly fitting windscreens.
He spent nine years on the line and is currently a team leader in CSD where
he has been for the past six years. This is the first exhibition of his work in
public.
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gary smith
“I have been involved in
photography for a number of
years, mostly as an addition
to other activities such
as bush walking and scuba
diving. I used photography
as a recording medium for
these pursuits. Now it
is developing into a full
hobby and the other pursuits
are taking a back seat.
Photography also allows me
to get outdoors and enjoy
the wonders of nature and I
like the wide variation from
landscape to macro. It also
makes me more acutely aware
of nature and I focus more
keenly on what is around
me. I am now concentrating
on developing my skills
in this area and finding
great satisfaction in the
creation process. I am selftaught and learn through
experimentation.”
From top: Cascade, Taking Flight,
Blossom 2007
Photographs,29x42cm, NFS
Gary began working with Toyota in Technical Service Operations in 1997
and is the Publication Manager with responsibility for the creation of the
local repair manuals, owner manuals and all Toyota and Lexus warranty
and service books. This is his second exhibition with the Toyota Community
Spirit Gallery.
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robert smith
Sunset
Photograph 1998,30x46cm
NFS
“My motivation is the constant challenge to improve my skill
as well as curiosity about the changing world around me. My
intent with this work was to capture one of the most iconic
cars of this generation in an uncommonly artistic atmosphere,
choosing both light and darkness to bring the vehicles majesty
and presence to the fore. The juxtaposition of these moments
in time against the natural and organic world emphasizes the
raw power that man has managed to create, simply for the love
of thrill and exhilaration.”
Robert has been pursuing photography since he became interested and
bought a camera a little under a year ago; perhaps inspired by his father
Gary, who works for Toyota and is also a keen photographer. His interest
has blossomed into a passion as evidenced by his images. This exhibition has
provided his first opportunity to show his work in public.
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joe spiteri
“My father was great
artist and I learnt a
lot from him. Otherwise
I am mostly self-taught,
although I have completed
an introduction to
airbrushing which provided
a basic run down on how
to use an airbrush. I am
motivated to see the final
result that I can achieve.
This picture is a portrait
of my daughter Isabelle.”
Isabelle
Airbrush 2005, 100x50cm
NFS
Art making runs in Joe’s family and he has become interested in airbrushing
over the past four years. His wife Hania d’Avoine works with Toyota. This
is the first time his work has been on public display.
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russell strobel
“I suffer from
depression and am
motivated to paint
as an outlet for my
illness. My Mother
painted when she was
alive and a friend
encouraged me to
try. My artwork
is reflective and
moody, mirroring
my personality and
outlook on life. My
motivation springs
from an empathy for
minority groups
suffering in-justice
or persecution.”
En Gay j’d
Acrylic on canvas 2008, 100x75cm
$250
Russell is a self taught artist who has been painting for approximately two
years. His artworks have been shown in exhibitions including the Tarra
Festival Yarram in 2007 and Tyers Art Festival, 2007-08. He recently sold
one of his works Homeland, which was about indigenous Australians and
their relationships to the land. His daughter Trieste works with Toyota.
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tuyen ta
Mystic Red Bamboo
Acrylic on canvas 2008, 100x120cm, $170
“I have always been an explorer and have loved
experimenting with things ever since I was very young.
My star sign is pisces which explains it all.
I enjoy
working with colour, shapes and various mediums to produce
a visual product with the highest form of imagination.”
Tuyen has been creating art since secondary college, studying arts and visual
communication from Year 7 through to VCE, Year 12. This is Tuyen’s
first exhibition of painting. Tuyen’s partner Cilai Seephonexia works with
Toyota.
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edward tuason
“My
collection
of artworks and
images are just
things
I
come
across
that
appeal to me for
whatever reason.
I mainly keep them
to show friends
and family. It is
often interesting
to compare notes
about what they
like and dislike
in my collection.
I
sometimes
experiment
with
my
photocopier,
printing
them
out in different
colours and sizes
to see what effects
I can get. I have
never
thought
about
combining
them together to
create
a
whole
new
picture
or
piece of art, so
this is a totally
new thing for me
that changes the
way my collection
will
be
viewed
and understood.”
WARNING!
Collage 2008,87x75cm
POA
Edward has worked with Toyota since
March 2007 in the Assembly Area Final
Two (finishing touches) at Altona. He has
always been interested in visual art and has
collected images from books, magazines,
advertising and the internet for many years.
This is the first exhibition of his collection,
and the first time he has presented it as collage.
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valma wroblewski
Sunset on a bushfire day in the High Country
Oil on canvas 2007, 50x60cm
$350
“This painting was done from an image taken from an Australian
scenery book. Looking through the book this scene captured
my eye, with the light coming through the clouds onto the
pastures, I felt this scenery of the High Country was
magnificent to look at. I love the smoky clouds creating a
darkness over the burning land and the striking sunset.”
Valma has always enjoyed looking at art and visiting galleries. Last year she
decided to give it a go for relaxation and it has become a passion. She is
mainly self-taught, although she has taken some classes along the way in the
last twelve months. This is her second exhibition in the Toyota Community
Spirit Gallery. Her daughter Donna works with Toyota.
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