Art show evokes past

by Megan Mould, with contributions from Melody Twelftree

FORMER resident Nan Astley played a lead role in arts and history activities that followed the launch of the history book.

The daughter of former artist, craftsman, and cafe owner Otho Hewett, she was invited to open the art exhibition (that shared the book's title), and also unveil the restored backdrop her father had painted for the original Tintinara Hall stage.

The impressive Shut Six Gates Art exhibition in the hall Supper Room featured an amazing art display show-casing the wealth of talent drawn from a slightly wider area.

Four artists were involved in the exhibition organised by Heart of the Parks member, Mig Brookman – who was also responsible for framing the works - and although the artists don't boast a Tintinara address they are associated with the craft shop.

Artists Julia Davis, Sandie Kuehne, Jaime Prosser and Craig Tully all live in the neighbouring Tatiara, and share an affinity with the area.

Renowned Marcollat artist Jaime Prosser has a special interest in Tintinara, where her father grew up.

Jaime, who sells her art at Heart of the Parks said, "It is good to have a heritage base at Tintinara".

Her pencil on paper, Tintinara Landscape, created specially for the exhibition, also featured on centenary invitations.

Keith artist Julia Davis' sense of fun and quirky style were evident in her Only Six More Gates and We're Out'a Here acrylic on canvas that was a huge talking point.

Sandie Keuhne, also from Keith has a real feel for the things around her, drawing inspiration from nature and historic buildings.

Craig Tully moved to Keith from New Zealand in 1987, and has always loved photography, particularly birds and wildlife.

Nan Astley also has a soft spot for Tintinara and her father will now have a permanent and highly visible place in Tintinara's ongoing history.

Otho Hewett was a talented man - a commercial artist and furniture and musical instrument maker in his spare time - who lived in Tintinara from 1929 until his untimely death in 1942.  Many of his drawings are held in the National War Museum in Canberra.

He lived and worked with his family in the Guest House (now the IGA supermarket), and built the Oasis Cafe, which he ran with his family.  The Cafe, regarded as an oasis in the desert, is now the Landmark building.

He painted the drop scene for the stage of the Tintinara Hall when it was opened in 1931, and was used until 1958 in the Big Hall (now referred to as the Front Supper Room), when the new hall was built.

The painting was subsequently rolled up, stored, and forgotten.

Malcolm and Marlyne Schulz rediscovered it two years ago under the raised seating in the Big Hall, and began organising restoration of this important heritage piece.

Through a range of grants and donations enough money was raised for Artlab SA to restore the drop to its former glory.

The drop scene will eventually be re-hung in the Front Supper Room on permanent display.

"I am really thrilled and honoured that people want to retain Dad's Drop Scene and have gone to such lengths to preserve it", his daughter said.

She said Otho was a fan of all things Egyptian, hence his choice of subject for the Drop Scene, painted in hues not unlike those of the 90 Mile Desert.

Nan graciously spoke on her early life in Tintinara and shared some of her treasured memories.  Nan then asked that the curtains be opened.

The lights were dimmed, the spotlights set and as the curtains slowly opened (reminiscent of many years ago), the beautiful Egyptian scene painted so many years ago was revealed.

Nan Astley with granddaughter Prue Astley in front of the drop scene