Editorial

In this our 21st anniversary issue, I am extremely humbled by the many messages of congratulations across the visual arts and thank all those who have contributed. The last 21 years have flashed by all too quickly, and I look forward to bringing you many more years of information and reading. Writing about the history of the magazine I’m struck by the notion its original intention remains true and expands further through the advent of the internet.

Returning to a series of articles about the early life of artists, and given the recent death of Tom Gibbons, I’m reminded how important it is to search out this information and record it for posterity.

Toby Bell, with his work currently on show at Sculpture by the Sea, is the first in this series. His work explores opposing forces, a life-long conflict for him as both an artist and a doctor, and a conflict reaching far back to his childhood.

Take a trip into nostalgia in Cup City at Spectrum Project Space at Edith Cowan University with stunning black and white images of Fremantle during the summer of 1986–87 by Kevin Ballantine. Hidden away for 25 years, the exhibition also marks 25 years since Fremantle and Australia lost its defence of the America’s Cup. The atmosphere of searing sun and bright sunlight brings memories of the essence of summer days heralding Perth’s coming of age.

Our Book Review, Survival of the Beautiful: Art, Science and Evolution by New York-based David Rothenberg, is bound to be a book you’ll have trouble putting down. Newly released, it’s set to open much discussion about the wide ranging influence of art and its exponents in nature. Who would have thought of bowerbirds as painters and sculptors?

Lyn DiCiero
Editor

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