I was very generously offered an opportunity by the wonderfully capable artist Len Vodic to tour his native far north-western New South Wales. Len would come to rue my incoherent preparations and ridiculous baggage, however we emerged relatively intact from a week away, with Len able to celebrate mother's day with mum , who most graciously supplied us with shelter on entry/ exit nights of our tour. Thank you Ola.
The country was in rare shape, grass all over and animals numerous on the back of big summer rains. Big black wedge tail eagles, hordes of 'roos & emus, goats, and a wonderful array of birds. Green creeks , profuse to confusion. I particularly enjoyed seeing the numerous raptors.
We book-ended our mini- odyssey in mythic Broken Hill, the magical city, the silver city. I love to see it; the lateral black firmament behind Argent Street. The Iron sheet alleys, the broad streets with deep gutter preparations. Suburban South, West and North, the infrastructures, grids, radio, the B.I.U, the wonderful women and the mythic men, the underground soul.
Len's city- centre sandstone sculptures- Job in the Civic Centre garden. Feel the history , past and future, with pieces yet to place.
Distilling Australia as city, an oasis bared to wild airs and the red ground and eternal seasons of outback.
( to be continued)
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