The next in the series of introductions to the many talented Montague Arts and Crafts artists.
Gary Caldow: In one of his latest pieces Gary has chosen to honour NT artist Albert Namatjira who he has placed inside a landscape generic to Central Australia. As a boy growing up at Darwin and Alice Springs, Gary visited many of the Central Australian sites favoured by Albert and Albert’s contemporary artists. This work has been inspired by the recent return of Albert’s Intellectual Property rights to the Namatjira family - a historical wrong in which Sydney entrepreneur Dick Smith played a significant role to correct. Gary Caldow was born in Geraldton Western Australia in 1951 but spent most of his childhood in Darwin, Northern Territory. Gary joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1969 as a Seaman Officer. He served in HMAS SYDNEY and USS ROBISON in Vietnam in 1970/1971 and joined the Fleet Air Arm serving in HMAS MELBOURNE, flying S2 Grumman Fixed Wing Aircraft 1977-1981. Subsequently he commanded HMAS GAWLER based in Darwin 1986-89. Gary left full time RAN service in 1992 to pursue commercial interests but remained in the RAN Reserve. He returned to full time service in 2006 with a posting to Sydney NSW and a flat in Kings Cross, which was the trigger to become an artist. In 2009 Gary’s painting “HAMMERHEAD CRANE and FRIENDS” was selected by Judge Margaret Olley to hang with finalists in the prestigious Mosman Art Prize. Gary formally retired in 2014, in order to concentrate on Art and family at Narooma NSW. Gary mainly works in Oil and Acrylic and enjoys attending plein air painting with MACS members. His painting “A DAY AT THE BEACH - GALLIPOLI” won the MACS Heritage Prize in 2015.
More information on Montague Art and Craft Society Inc Montague Art & Craft Society Inc. (MACS) is a recreational arts facility established in 1981, which offers its members: a place to work together in creative groups; workshops for members to upgrade and diversify their skills; and opportunities for members to exhibit their work. MACS is a not-for-profit organisation providing members, visitors and the local community with facilities, encouragement, education and promotion of the arts. Visit the MACS website at https://macsartnarooma.com.au/ for contact details and events
