We headed west to The Unconformity festival in Queenstown which is a fabulous eclectic unique (usually bi-annual but currently covid-disrupted) festival that expresses the disjuncture of humans and environment, and the creativity and resilience of both. We stayed in Strahan, a 50 minute winding drive away, as Queenstown was pretty much booked out. The planned 3 day festival opened on Friday, and closed on Friday due to a snap covid lockdown in southern Tasmania. Even though Queenstown was outside the lockdown area, many of the participants and attendees would have been coming from the Hobart region. However, some of the art was still displayed on Saturday, so we were privileged to be able to see some and experience one pop-up performance.
On entry to Queenstown we were greeted by Seeds - car wrecks planted, seeded with native plants. I hope this is a permanent display. Nature reclaiming mankind's destruction.
We arrived to the unexpected the Queenie Choir performing in the main street as the Crib Lane food and music area was being packed down.
We followed the choir to the Memorial Hall where they performed several more songs amongst a labyrinth of stones and words created by local school children. Marry the Land celebrates connection to country.
Then we followed the art trail, most of the galleries were still open for us. The mushrooming of local art is astonishing. We attended the opening of the new Press West print studio, reclaiming the old school buildings that have been empty for many years.
And saw a diverse range of paintings and sculptures. This one by Helena Demczuk.
After lunch over the mountain at Linda Cafe, almost being blown off the side of the mountain at Horsetail Falls, more art walking in showers between galleries, we headed back to Strahan, artfully satisfied, not realising there was more art to be discovered the next day on the never-ending Ocean Beach near Strahan.
A true reclaimation of man's underestimation of nature. The inspiration for Seeds?
We spent hours exploring nature's art. So many different coloured stones.
Marbled patterns created by water, minerals and sand.
Comets sculpted by the wind.
The windswept beach, mountains in the distance, clouds constantly changing form.
Walking the green carpet to Hogarth Falls, after lunch in Strahan. Platypus and pink robin in the forest.
More beach art at the Macquarie Heads end of Ocean Beach. Bonnet Island lighthouse.
Who would have thought a trip to the notoriously rainy west coast of Tasmania would turn into a weekend at the beach! While Sunday was relatively, but not completely dry, the drive home of Monday was wet! Scones for morning tea at Tullah Lakeside Resort, lunch followed a short rainforest and waterfall walk at Cradle Mountain on the way home.
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