by Tania Shirgwin
During the month of August, the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival is held to celebrate the diversity, techniques and talent of over 3,000 South Australian visual artists. 518 exhibitions are held throughout the state with a large number held in wineries, galleries and cafes throughout the Barossa Valley.
During the month of August, the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival is held to celebrate the diversity, techniques and talent of over 3,000 South Australian visual artists. 518 exhibitions are held throughout the state with a large number held in wineries, galleries and cafes throughout the Barossa Valley.
This week, I had the pleasure of chatting to one of the artists about his work, life and wonderment of the ever changing landscape of the Barossa Valley.
Dragan Radocaj’s photographic exhibition at St Hallett Wines showcases the striking beauty that most of us who live in the Barossa take for granted. One would be forgiven upon entering the exhibition, if they imagined this was an exhibition of paintings. The texture, depth and vibrant colour of the panoramas lends one to the momentary belief these works were created by brush-stroke and not camera. Indeed, Dragan freely admits "I seek to combine the best aspects of two mediums - the texture and colour of a painting and the detail of a photograph."
The visually stunning artworks were created by carefully stitching together multiple images shot in sequence and compressing certain parts to create depth and detail as well as gain the panoramic aspect. Both the light and colour that is unique to the Barossa is captured, as well as the ever altering landscape through the seasons.
The man behind the artwork is as intriguing as the art. Only four short years after finishing his Film Degree, Dragan’s photos now adorn walls in cellar doors and private homes, through to The Clubhouse webpage and the 6 metre panorama hanging in Brisbane’s Bar Barossa. He humbly credits James Lindner and the Langmeil Winery team, Robert O’Callaghan at Rockford Wines and the Barossa Grape and Wine Association for giving him a break and helping launch his career, and the Barossa Wine Community for embracing his work. However, his rare talent, eye for detail; unassuming, affable and infectious personality may have also assisted his career far more than he acknowledges.
When asked who are his favourite artists? A sprinkle of paintings throughout history was offered, although not one of his favoured artists used his medium of photography. Each artist was a unique story teller and it may be the story-telling aspect that Dragan prefers over the artist or medium. One artist that he did mention was French Impressionist, Claude Monet. Like Monet, who completed over 250 oil paintings on the one topic – Lillies; Dragan believes his chosen subject, the Barossa landscape provides him with a lot more inspiration, variety and colour than the lilies offered Monet. This wasn’t a boast, but a heartfelt statement from an artist who just loves the focus of his current work, the Barossa Valley. I suggest what we’re currently seeing from Dragan is only a small snippet of future offerings.
The exhibition runs through to 31st August 2010 at St Hallett Wines St Hallett Road, TANUNDA SA 5352 and is a definite must see if you love fine photography or the Barossan landscape.
My personal favourite of the exhibition is “The Perfect Storm” featuring the dirt road to Pindarie, with storm clouds gathering and the ever present vines and hay bales. What's your favourite.
