Arts on Site: Felted landscapes with Mae Finlayson

Recreate Tasmania's landscapes, captured by the photography of Olegas Truchanas, in this immersive felting workshop.

Olegas Truchanas' photographic style is deeply rooted in his love for Tasmania’s wild places. His images from the 1950s to the 1970s not only document breathtaking landscapes, but also convey his personal experiences and passion for nature. Truchanas’ work remains influential, celebrated for its ability to connect viewers with the endangered wilderness he cherished and strived to protect.

Our next Arts on Site workshop will introduce you to the art of felting, inviting you to explore the layers of Truchanas' sublime landscapes. Discover the profound sense of nature captured in This Vanishing World: Photography of Olegas Truchanas, and let his breathtaking images inspire your creative journey.

Led by textile artist Mae Finlayson, this immersive needle felting experience will merge art and nature in a captivating way. You'll learn the fascinating technique of needle felting and transform the stunning landscapes from Truchanas' photography into your own felted masterpieces.

About the workshop

• This workshop is suitable for adults [18+] with some drawing experience - from those dabbling in sketching, to those considering venturing into acrylic and oil painting.
• The registration fee includes all materials.
• Seniors Week 2024 discounted registration available - discounted tickets will be available from 9am on 1 August 2024.
• The workshop's location is the Queen Victoria Museum, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston.

About the artist

Mae Finlayson is a visual artist living in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. She makes soft sculpture, embroidery, fabric prints and collage with a hand made aesthetic blending ordinary materials in unusual ways. She has a BA with 1st class Honours from Goldsmiths’ College, University of London and a Masters of Constructed Textiles from the Royal College of Art, London.

While making work for gallery exhibition and outdoor festivals, Mae has worked on many collaborative, community and solo projects often specialising in projects driven by audience participation.

www.maefinlayson.com.au

About the exhibition

This is the story of a man who loved Tasmania’s wild places.

For twenty years, Olegas Truchanas explored Tasmania's remote South West, with great physical and mental endurance. His photographic skill enabled him to share his personal experiences with others.

Born in 1923, Olegas grew up in Lithuania, a country invaded three times by two different nations. In January 1949, he migrated to Australia, and after a month at a displaced persons camp in Victoria, moved to Tasmania.

Motivated by a love of nature and natural beauty, Olegas Truchanas' legacy is told here in with carefully selected images to celebrate his birth just over 100 years ago.

Through the lens of his camera, This Vanishing World shares the journey of Olegas Truchanas and his campaign to expand awareness of Tasmania’s unique and endangered south-west in the 1950-70’s, which helped inspire an ongoing environment protection movement.

This exhibition acknowledges the influence of his work on talented wilderness photographers who continue to represent endangered wild country.

This exhibition is accompanied by a beautiful new publication, available from the QVMAG Shop in-store and online.

This Vanishing World: Photography of Olegas Truchanas

Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston

13 July 2024 — 16 February 2025

Free entry | Open daily | 10am to 4pm

About the QVMAG Arts on Site program

Our ongoing series will immerse you in a vibrant blend of art techniques, taking inspiration from our current exhibitions and with expert guidance from our passionate facilitators.

With monthly workshops held across our two sites at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park and the Museum at Inveresk, participants can explore photography, sketching, drawing, watercolour painting, oil painting, textile design, and interior design.

From seasoned artists to curious beginners, Arts on Site provides the perfect opportunity to elevate your artistic skills and connect with a community of creators.

Find out more about this exciting series at www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Arts-on-Site

Image: QVMAG