Hill End Stories (2003-2008)

Hill End Stories

– were shown in 2 exhibitions at Eva Breuer Art (The Wings of Eros 2008, and Hill End Stories 2006)

The Wings of Eros

– explores the ancient myth of Psyche and Eros, using the dramatic landscape of Hill End, perched between sky and mountains. These works explore the human experience of desire and yearning for love – the aching spaces between earth and heaven. Works such as The Visitor 1 and The Visitor II play with the tensions between our creatureliness and the impulse for flight and transformation.

Hill End Stories

- works inspired by the artist’s initial connection with the old gold mining town of Hill End. The richness of this experience: whether evoking devonshire teas, riotous burlesque performances, or the timelessness and history of the village. Jean Bellette’s Bed depicts the bed the artist slept in at Haefligers Cottage”. A bed of dreams and timelessness, in smoky sunset-drenched intensity. The Open Door depicts the outside/inside of Haefligers Cottage on a sunny afternoon. This work is now owned by the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, and is used as promotion for the artist-in-residence program. The Bear and the Bird series resulted from a performance held in the local Royal Hall by fellow artists Julie-Anne Long and Kathy Cogill – Julie was dressed as the bear, and Cathy the bare-breasted bird – gasps were heard from the audience as Cathy revealed her almost nakedness. These works, including Afternoon Delight reflect Valadon’s constant interest in the politics of gender and identity, and delight in sensual story telling.