Lucy McEachern: Birds in Bronze ~ August 05 – December 17

Lucy McEachern is a renowned, bronze sculptor drawing inspiration from her rural Australian surroundings. Brought up in the South West of Victoria on a farming property, Lucy has developed a deep affinity with the enchanting birds that dwell in the local landscape. Lucy’s tactile sculptures not only capture her subject’s individual characteristics, but also invite the viewer to feel its contours in a celebration of their majestic presence. Lucy McEachern’s sculptures can be found in galleries throughout Australia and collections worldwide.

Welcome to an extraordinary world where art and nature intertwine—the realm of life-sized bronze birds in sculpture. These stunning creations, meticulously crafted by Lucy McEachern, Victorian artist and farmer who knows these winged wonders inside out, are here to captivate your senses. Alongside Lucy’s magnificent sculptures, will be a small collection of paintings by Helen Davies and Paul Gorgan. And additionally, an exclusive collection of framed collectible vintage colour plates from Gracius J Broinowski’s ‘Birds of Australia’ book 1890-91.

As you step into this exhibition, you can’t help but be in awe. The bronze birds gleam with a lustrous sheen – this patina giving them a touch of magic that draws you closer. Reach out and run your fingers along the surface—the texture is surprisingly smooth and yet lifelike, inviting you to explore every exquisite detail.

I am fortunate enough to have one of Lucy’s birds in my home. It’s like having a piece of the wild right in your special space. These sculptures bring the beauty of nature to life with unparalleled realism. The play of light on their bronze forms adds a sense of movement, as if they might just take flight and soar before your very eyes. But it’s not all about appearances; these bronze birds have a way of working wonders on your mood and well-being. A sight of them is like a burst of joy, lifting your spirits and leaving you with a smile that lingers. It’s a delightful reminder of the magic and marvels that surround us in the natural world.

Lucy is exhibiting some new pieces not yet seen here at Purple Noon. These beautiful pieces are a combination of rounded forms and angles, capturing the birds’ contours and bulbous bits, yet accentuating their unique elegance. I’m sure you will love them as much as I do.

These sculptures are an investment. Indeed, these exceptional works of art come with a price commensurate with their value, but the enriching experience they offer is immeasurable. Each sculpture is a labour of love, a testament to the artist’s dedication to preserving the essence of Australian birds in nature in bronze.

So please join us if you can and step into the world of elegance and tactility, where bronze birds embody the beauty of nature and the artistry of a true master. You’re in for an experience that will leave you marvelling at the wonders of the wild and the extraordinary talents of the human hand.

Helen Davies is a specialist in traditional painted effects and murals. For over thirty years she has been a heritage colour consultant noted with the NSW Heritage Council, providing paint scrape investigations and historically accurate colour schemes to significant listed buildings. She is an expert in special finishes such as gilding, stucco, faux woodgrain and faux marble and her projects spread across NSW, South Australia, Victoria, and Malaysia. They include Sheraton Hotel Kuala Lumpur, ANA Hotel Sydney, Granville Town Hall, Swifts House, Lilianfels and Hydro Majestic Hotel, Blue Mountains, The Convent and Peppers, Hunter Valley. Movie sets and ABC TV. Helen also paints murals in private and public locations.

Helen, an artist and designer holding a Fines Arts Degree (Hons) from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK., paints artworks whenever she can. Her paintings are invariably imbued with a sense of calm and serenity. These textual sensitivite paintings grace the walls of exhibitions throughout the country. I am delighted to be able to hang some of her artworks in this exhibition.

Paul Gorgan is a scientist with a PhD in Geology. He paints in his leisure time with an imperturbable tranquillity and sense of undisturbed understanding. Paul’s works are small, beautiful and very popular, often exhibited in finalists exhibitions in some of the country’ s largest art prizes. Living reasonably close in the Blue Mountains, we are very lucky to have encountered Paul as a finalist in the 2021 Hawkesbury Art Prize. We have had the pleasure of a continued relationship and adore his tiny paintings.

And …. we will also offer a unique highly collectible selection of framed birds; coloured plates from the pages of an original Gracius J. Broinowski book – The Birds of Australia,
1890-91. Contact the gallery for further details regarding these pieces.

Additionally, for those of you who have been following our exhibitions for some years now, and are used to both Lucy and Vida Pearson exhibiting together, we have included a small number of framed hand-coloured linocuts by Vida. Vida couldn’t make it this year to exhibit with Lucy.