Brenton Hill: Shining a light on Macclesfield's natural beauty

You’re using your residency to work on a new project exploring Macclesfield’s natural environment including Mount Dennis and Crystal Lake – why did you choose this area?

I chose the natural features of Macclesfield, firstly, because Crystal Lake and the Angas River have a significant historical connection to the community and, more recently, as the centre for the Sculpture Trail and the Crystal Lake Sculpture Park. Mount Dennis often seems to be a forgotten back drop to the township, and I would like to honour its presence through my practice. Hopefully the local community can connect to what I’m visually communicating as well as any visitors who can visit and appreciate these places for themselves.

How do you plan on depicting them?

I will be using the medium of monotype and collage to express my response to these. My aim is to capture the essence of place and to arouse an emotional response for the viewer through use of colour, texture and composition.

What do you want to say with these works?

It’s about an inner expressive response. My work is abstract but it begins with thoughts, ideas, objects, landscapes or figures. Hopefully my work will initiate a personal response from the viewer which I find exciting and rewarding as these responses can vary from one person to the next. There is no single correct story.

What does it mean to have a dedicated studio you can use exclusively while you work on this project?

Freedom and space! It’s also an opportunity for visitors to see an artist’s working studio, meet the artist and see art pieces as works in progress which most people will normally never see. Also, being in the town, where the impetus for my work is, means I can visit the environs easily to connect, absorb and reflect, and bring back memories to this space.

How would you describe your journey as an exhibiting artist working in regional South Australia – what have been the challenges and the opportunities?

Firstly, the lack of quality gallery or exhibiting spaces - not just for artists but for people to visit and be informed. Private galleries are shutting down constantly so local governments and corporates need to see, respect and acknowledge the value the arts play in community.

What advice do you have for emerging regional artists?

Find your tribe. Like-minded people who encourage through the difficult times. Keep chipping away at your own personal visual vocabulary – not an academic institutional directive.

You’ve been a practicing artist as well as graphic designer for nearly 40 years – both involve creativity and artistry – how do you define the difference between the two crafts?

In some ways, there are not a lot of differences and in other areas there are big differences. As a graphic designer, there’s a responsibility to meet and achieve a client’s brief, understand their business as best you can, be informed of competitors and market share and so on. Depending on your client base, you’re designing and forging the client’s image for a successful business. As a painter and maker, I feel a responsibility to create work of quality and value. I can also be a sounding board; I can express personal views on all sorts of issues to alert and make people really consider – to see and not just look. As an artist, I feel there’s more freedom to express your inner soul and get your hands dirty.

Why do the arts matter?

The arts reflect the times we live in. Whether it is visual, writing, music, they are history markers - as important as fossils. The arts enhance wellbeing and are proven therapeutic tools for both the creator and viewer. Without the arts and artisans, there would be no need for archaeologists.

What opportunities will members of the community have to see what you create during your residency?

Opportunities exist each day that I’m in the studio – the door’s always open. I’ve been very fortunate and quite overwhelmed by the number of locals and visitors to the town that have dropped in to see what I’m doing. There will be an exhibition at the end of my residency featuring work created during the residency and work created in my Aldgate studio.

Which artwork – across all artforms – do you wish you created and why?

I’ve never really considered that question. I deeply admire certain artists and pieces of their work for different and various reasons. It’s about how I connect to and respond to their work and journey, in full knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to achieve that outcome.

Members of the community are invited to an exhibition of Brenton’s new artworks celebrating Macclesfield’s natural beauty as well as a curated selection of past works at The Stable between 3pm and 5pm on Sunday 2 November.