By KATH GANNAWAY
WARBURTON musician, potter and photographer Jeff Wilmott has a lot to offer as a solo artist.
But there’s excitement in numbers and as one of 20 artists taking part in the Upper Yarra Artisans’ Summer Art Show, Jeff said he is looking forward to being part of a “bigger picture” exhibition of local art.
The Upper Yarra region is a rich stream of artisans who draw inspiration from the community and natural environment in which they live.
It makes for a diverse exhibition including ceramics and painting to sculpture, wood-carving, textiles and more.
One of Jeff’s particular talents is making and playing the little-known ocarina.
He will be giving demonstrations of how he makes and plays the ocarina on Friday and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm during the exhibition, as well as demonstrating didgeridoo and gum leaf playing.
He was experimenting with making flutes out of clay when a fellow artist, Sunny, now his wife, introduced him to a round alternative.
It wasn’t an easy instrument to master in terms of getting the sound and shape right, but he was taken with the beautiful sound.
“I kept trying and nearly gave up at first because it is a complex instrument to make,” he said.
“I persevered and am still making them nearly 30 years later.”
Jeff has recently returned to the pottery wheel and among his works on display, including tortoise-shaped ocarinas and photographs, he will have a selection of pots.
“There is a great depth of artistic talent in the group, and the exhibition will reflect that,” he said.
All the works will be for sale and with the exhibition open every day from 22 January to 11 February from 10am to 4pm, there is plenty of opportunity for local people, and visitors, to enjoy the event.
The Summer Art Show is at the Waterwheel Gallery in Warburton with the official launch on Thursday 22 January from 6pm to 7.30pm.
For more information visit www.uyartisans.weebly.com.
