Grindell’s Hut Artist Residency

Renowned painter Ken Orchard has commenced his journey to Grindell’s Hut in the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges as part of Port Augusta City Council’s annual artist residency.

Well known for his large scale paintings, Mr. Orchard plans to develop a series of landscape works based around a portfolio of early landscape watercolours by colonial South Australian Surveyor – General E. C. Frome made on a 1843 surveying expedition to the region.  “Images made while on his expedition I have known of for many years, but I have not had the resources to undertake the field work to such remote locations.  I plan to visit and scope some the key northern sites depicted by Frome during his 1843 expedition.

“I also hope to be surprised at some of the places that this journey will take me – many of which are unknown to me at the present time.

“In 1992 I briefly visited the Gammon Ranges, Grindell’s Hut and Italowie Gorge and was struck by the varied landforms and dramatic beauty of the region,” Ken said.

The annual artist residency program was established in 2002, and is now managed as a partnership between Port Augusta City Council and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources through the Vulkathunha–Gammon Ranges National Park Co-Management Board.

One artist each year is provided with the unique opportunity to spend time at Grindell’s Hut for up to three weeks.  The artist benefits include free accommodation, a weekly stipend and a free solo exhibition at the Port Augusta Cultural Centre – Yarta Purtli Gallery in the year following the residency.

Ellenor Day, Port Augusta based Country Arts SA Officer, said that interest in this year’s Grindell’s Hut residency has been very strong amongst the arts community.

“This year we had a particularly large number of enquiries about the residency from artists right across Australia. It definitely is a unique opportunity for artists to spend three weeks in a remote location dedicated to their art practice without the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” she said.

For more information about community arts and cultural programs click here