The Belle of the Ball

acrylic and gesso on masonite

169 x 85cm

Finalist '2023 Gosford Art Prize’, Gosford Regional Gallery, NSW.

Treasured for 59 years a disintegrating dress acts as a time capsule. The last annual Tasmanian ‘’Huon Valley Apple Festival 1964’’, celebrated community pride in its apple industry promoting the ’Apple Isle’ worldwide, and was the moment ‘Bell of the Ball’ Bronwen’s engagement was announced.

Painted from life the dress is surrounded by text. Ink is transferred into the gesso from the original Program and in the Belle of the Ball’s handwriting are stories of her orchardist family’s life.