HISTORY:
Our family and associated audio production businesses were very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to art to chinaware and even classic old analog (quality) technology!
In the world of artworks, our focus has always been Australian landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand but over the years we also collected some other "interesting" pieces of art and this piece is definitely a bit "outside of the box" for us at least!
The obvious departure from our "normal" painted landscapes is the fact it has been worked in Copper. Produced in the 1980's, possibly co-coinciding with the restoration work on the church to the vestry, church structure and schoolmaster's residence.
This church is Australia's oldest existing church, completed in 1809 by Scottish immigrants after a couple of years planning and construction and for a long period of time it was a Presbyterian place of worship and a school. Established by eight Scottish immigrant families, these being the Davison's, Hall's, Howe's, Johnston's, Mein's, Stubbs, and Turnbull's who all arrived in 1802.
You can still visit this church, take a look HERE
This artwork definitely fits our side interest in the arts, old English-Gaelic buildings which give an insight into the Australian architectural influences at the time.
Then there is the very impressive copper craftspersonship ... the copper sheet is not "paper thin" (measured at an estimated 0.7mm thickness) and has been so skilfully worked from both sides of the sheet - imagine how difficult it would be to create your artwork "in reverse" as it is the "other side" of the copper sheeting that has the artwork pressed/scribed onto it, meaning the front viewed image would need to be created as a mirror image. Some copper work has been undertaken on the front side as well i.e the naming of the work and the side frame decorations. The craftsperson has paid great attention to detail, carefully wrapping the copper sheet across and behind the frame sides.
The copper artwork has a clear finish applied to prevent tarnishing over the years. It will be noticed that the artist has also used heat patina techniques to create a much darker colour in the skyline area.
The sad thing, although not of primary concern to us, is that there is a lack of anything indicated who the craftsperson is/was. We have only seen one other "very similar" piece of copper artwork and it was created by a person with a Queensland postcode, that's all we could find out.
Funny thing is ... the inscribed name, and the date in particular, do not match the church history records, the church was construction completed in 1809 but the inscription on this artwork says 1807 which is more like the time the idea of constructing the church was born.
COPPER ARTWORK - Australia's Oldest Church (located at Ebenezer, NSW Australia)
Circa 1980's
Hand worked copper sheet
Artwork has been created from both sides of the copper sheeting
Secured onto a hard wooden backing board
Front, top surface clear coating to reduce/prevent oxidisation of the Copper
Two eyelet hooks with steel wire was originally used to hang this artwork, we always found these to be just a little difficult to use (the hooks were spaced too close together) so I have now removed those hooks and wire, although they will be provided with the artwork anyway.
DIMENSIONS:
287mm wide x 192mm height x 11mm
Hanging weight: 515g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
After 40+ years, this artwork still appears "like new" We have looked after it!
CLEAN
NO stains or unintentional discolouration to the artwork
NO dents or depressions where there shouldn't be!
NO breakdown of the clear protective coating on the front (no cracking)
Nicely formed around all sides and onto the rear of the wooden block
The rear has been sealed with "artist's tape" which is looking a bit "dated" now but still it's act together.
The rear brief explanation of the church history is in a similar condition, not tatty but definitely old and look at that printing! That's not a modern printed text but created with a typewriter (remember them!)
Now that this artwork has left our walls, and is waiting for a new home, I have sealed the complete artwork in clear plastic while it awaits a new breath of life!
