TG12: Art... what is it good for? (with Mark Themann, Rob Robson & Anton Vardy)

In this episode, Angelo and James spoke with three leaders in the Gippsland art world: Mark Themann, Rob Robson and Anton Vardy. Our conversation meandered through some of the big questions about art, like what art actually is, the important role it plays in our personal and public lives as well as supporting the social and psychological resilience of Gippsland communities. About our guests in this episode… Dr. Mark Themann is an artist who creates visual and time-based art. He has been exhibiting his work for over thirty years across Australiasia, Europe and the USA. He is also the Director of the Latrobe Regional Gallery located in Morwell, a gallery operated by Latrobe City Council. Rob Robson is the Manager of Arts and Culture at Baw Baw Shire Council where he has been for over eight years. He recently oversaw the redevelopment of the West Gippsland Arts Centre, which re-opened in late 2018. Anton Vardy recently completed a stint as the senior curator of the Latrobe Regional Gallery and was also the former director of the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale where he built the space into a premiere regional arts facility over the course of twelve years. Where to find art in Gippsland Art is everywhere in Gippsland, which is home to some superb galleries and performing arts centres including: Latrobe Regional Gallery in Morwell Latrobe Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale East Gippsland Art Gallery in Bairnsdale Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place in Bairnsdale Town & Country Gallery in Yarragon Meeniyan Art Gallery in Meeniyan Port Albert Art Gallery in Port Albert Cowwarr Art Space in Cowwarr And many many more! (just google “art & Gippsland” and you’ll see!) You might also find something interesting among these Gippsland art hubs: Baw Baw Arts Alliance - sign up today! Creative Gippsland - your gateway to artists, creatives and experiences. Gippsland Artists - a listing of some of the great artists who call Gippsland home. Thanks to Baw Baw Shire Council and Latrobe City Council for lending us these legendary guests. And thanks also to Will Kulich of the Baw Baw Citizen for the Neerim Bower photograph we’ve used for this episode’s cover art. We'd love to hear what you thought of this episode. Get in touch with us on social media or via email. Stay tuned to The Gloaming