The Heart of Hinterland Art – Tall Trees Art Inc
Art is in the heart of hinterland locals so it’s no surprise that Tall Trees returns with fresh and inspiring works. Carlie Wacker casts a keen eye over this year’s exciting art exhibition set amongst the gorgeous streets of Cooran.
In 2021 Tall Trees Art Inc is set to bring the streets of Cooran to life with bold, engaging and creatively-inspired works celebrating 11 years of Tall Trees art exhibitions and showcasing the creative talents from Cooran and beyond.
The innovative team behind this community based, not-for-profit organisation take the job seriously and through the toughest of challenges in 2020 pivoted the program to ensure the exhibition went ahead.
In an epic effort President Mia Hacker led the team to quickly convert the exhibition from on the streets to online, with an interactive 360-degree virtual gallery allowing artists to showcase and share their works – and for the art to spread joy amongst the community.
This year, Cooran’s annual Art extravaganza will return to the streets of this gorgeous hinterland village featuring mesmerising works by emerging artists through to internationally-acclaimed artists in quirky and cool pop-up galleries that invite the whole community to be part of the experience.
“Tall Trees will have at least 16 viewing venues scattered throughout the main street of Cooran, making this event a real collaboration between local businesses, artists, and the community,” Tall Trees President Mia Hacker said.
“King Street in Cooran will come alive with colour and creativity and a vibe that fills our hearts with pride and love for our community.”
The multiplicity of artists and genres exhibiting is the real drawcard for this art iteration featuring more than 120 artists covering visual art, sculpture, ceramics, woodwork, music, photography and textiles.
Tall Trees launches with the Bendigo Bank Meet the Artists Opening Night on 29 October featuring some of the youngest multi-genre artists including Araya Hammond and Cooran local, Emma Tomlinson.
Emma will show her musical talents to perform along with guest speaker and musician, Peter Koppes – founding member of The Church, and famous for the 80s banger Under The Milky Way.
Emma’s art Blue Haired Girl was featured as our cover artist for IN Noosa Magazine in Spring 2018 just before Emma was appointed as Ambassador for Autism Qld as a leader for young women on the spectrum, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Kabi Kabi Elder Traditional Owner Bridgette Chilli is also sharing her incredible saltwater dreaming collection that she has been creating on Jhdungah Country for 20 years. Bridgette has been taught by Elders and specifically her grandmother on how to bring that connection to country into extraordinary artwork that shares her language and cultural knowledge.
Jandamarra Cadd has been a finalist in every major portrait art prize in Australia and we are so excited to see the inspirational and moving works on display at Tall Trees this year, including his Archibald prize entry, Spirit Bird featuring musician Xavier Rudd.
One of Australia’s premier Aboriginal artists Kurun Warun (Tio) will exhibit some of his world-renowned art coveted and collected by names such as Oprah and the Prince of Saudi Arabia. His art tells important stories of family and childhood as the fifth generation of the Truganini Queen of Tasmania.
Don’t miss Kathleen Hunt’s thought-provoking Backlash, part of a larger body of work – created to engender conversation, to give voice to the female narrative and as a contribution to cultural change.
The list of exhibiting artists is mind blowing with artworks on show from the likes of Amanda Pitt-Lythgoe, Jim Martin, Mia Hacker, Kilagi Nielsen, Birrunga Wiradyuri with mentees Stevie O’Chin and Kane Brunjes; Michelle Kurth, Jess Scurrah, Francoise Alloin Monnereau and many more. The next generation aren’t forgotten with The Blue Chair Gallery hosting Small Trees, featuring 60 small canvas works by the children of Cooran.
So, on the last weekend of October head to the heart of Hinterland art – Cooran and discover a vibrant community overflowing with amazing talent and passion.
Find out more at Tall Trees Facebook or website.
Explore Cooran
Make a day (or weekend!) of it and explore this vibrant village. Don’t miss:
• The Hinterland Restaurant
• The Sangha Room
• The Lazy Fox café
• Dhom’s Kitchen pop-up
• Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co
• Fabulous Finds
• Cooran Community Store
• The Brow Barn
• The Blue Chair Gallery
• Room to Grow
• Yarn Studio
• The Verandah
— and so much more!
