Ian Marr – AIR September 2009 to January 2010

 

Ian Marr is an artist from the village of Hill End who is artist in residence at Thirning Villa through spring and summer. 

Ian established strong community links during his first residency in 2005 and in consultation with community groups created two public artworks, the Ekushe Academy Mother Language memorial in Ashfield Park and the Peace Memorial.

He also gave Pratten Park the Rosetta Stone, which uses a text from Homer's Iliad to represent in cut letters many of the home languages of the Ashfield community. 

Ian travels widely and has recently returned from a residency in Finland.   His skills include writing poetry, working in a variety of media including lettercutting in slate and sandstone, painting in oils and acrylic, watercolour, and drawing.  Check www.ianmarr.com.au to view some of Ian’s work. 

At Thirning Villa he will be conducting workshops in:

  • stone lettercutting for 15 years old upwards
  • painting on stone and on timber panels (portraits and animal paintings) for children  
  • poetry for stone inscription

Everyone from the Inner West and in particular Ashfield residents are invited to come and try these interesting, ancient art forms. 

There will be classes and workshops for young people over the summer holidays, and weekend workshops throughout the residency period.

While he is at Thirning Villa he will keep an 'open studio' for the Ashfield community, usually Friday afternoons from 2 pm to 5 pm - visitors are most welcome at other times but need to phone 9798 7959 to check that Ian is available. 

Please contact Anthia on 9716 1866 or anthiah@ashfield.nsw.gov.au for more information or to arrange for classes, groups or individuals to work with Ian until mid January.