Exhibition by A W Morton - "Toowoomba, Today, Tomorrow, A Time of Transition" Exhibition at the Toowoomba Art Society from 1st May to the 27th May 2018. 1 Godsall Street Toowoomba.
STATEMENT -
Toowoomba and Development Art Project by AW (Bill) Morton
Background
This body of work depicting major infrastructure projects reflects the burgeoning growth, Toowoomba and the region is undergoing. The two projects, Grand Central and the 2nd Range Crossing have been the inspiration behind work in my exhibition, ‘Toowoomba – Today, Tomorrow Time of Transition’. While these projects are a major part of that story of growth, they are by no means, the whole story.
There is the new international standard airport – Brisbane West-Wellcamp and Mr Compton’s Inland Rail project; forward thinking infrastructure which daily becomes more of a reality. Other projects, planned or in progress include the Technology Park, the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub, Charlton Logistics Park, and of course, mining. While mining is experiencing something of a quiet period, it will come back as markets dictate. Not to be forgotten, arguably most important of all, is primary production. A much enhanced export capacity – a direct result of these infrastructure projects (road, rail and air) will see untold benefits for the region.
Statement/Rationale
As an artist, Bill Morton is in the privileged position of being ‘on the ground’, recording aspects of these developments. The historical significance of this and the recording of it has been foremost as a rationale for the work.
The works are a small selection of this body of work being exhibited in my upcoming exhibition during May 2018 at the Toowoomba Art Society (see attached invitation).
Further work on this project will be ongoing for months, possibly a year or more as this will be dictated by actual progress of construction. As work progresses, new aspects of the construction will present as possibilities for new compositions.
These projects collectively herald a key moment of growth and development, a major milestone in Toowoomba’s history. The significance of this cannot be overstated; it is too important as an idea. As such, it has become more and more established – more of a ‘mindset’. Gradually, inevitably, it has coalesced into a much wider reaching idea – that of Toowoomba’s development – in all its guises.
Exhibition at the Toowoomba Art Society May 2018 - Bill Morton's 'Toowoomba, Today, Tomorrow, A Time of Transition', Exhibition.
AW Morton - Catalogue No. 1164 - The Pushout - First Beam First Span
Somerset Art Awards 2017
June 2017 saw A W Morton winner of the Somerset Bendigo Bank Art Awards "Best of Show Prize" with his Oil on Canvas "Still Life with Proteas, Porcelain, Pottery & Fruit".
The Gala Opening of the Somerset Bendigo Bank Art Awards for 2017 was held on Friday, 16 June with he winners being awarded their prizes. Bill was awarded the prestigious "Bendigo Bank Best of Show Prize" from the 300 works of art on show.
