AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT 2015 - 2018
An initiative of Leasha Craig in conjunction with Art Studios Co-operative
www.australian_spirit.com
An initiative of Leasha Craig in conjunction with Art Studios Co-operative
www.australian_spirit.com
"Australian Spirit" was a diverse community collaboration commemorating the ANZAC & WW1 Centenaries, honouring the men and women that have served our country. The project tells the stories and the memories of Central Coast returned service personnel as interpreted by visual artists, poets and documenting photographers. It was initiated to raise public awareness of the sacrifices made by both returned veterans and their families.
"Australian Spirit" involved collaborations between returned service personnel, visual artists, poets and photographers, with the assistance of Central Coast RSL clubs, returned veterans associations, local businesses and the community.
These collaborations result in a multidisciplinary exhibition of poetry and visual arts. Participating returned service personnel are grouped with an artist, poet and photographer. Each of these groups meet and engage in a conversation centred around the veteran's stories, memories and recollections of their experiences during their service. Based upon this meeting inspired artworks, both written and visual are created and exhibited. The exhibitions are accompanied by a commemorative magazine containing all the creative works, along with the bios of the veterans. Throughout the four years of this project the collaborative exhibitions where exhibited throughout the Central Coast, including the foyers of participating RSL clubs on ANZAC Day.
"Australian Spirit" was a four year project which commenced in 2015 and concluded in 2018, spanning the centenary of WW1. Over the four years the project has involved over 200 active participants, resulting in four compelling exhibitions of 76 visual and written artworks inspired by local veterans.
"Australian Spirit" in 2018 culminated as a travelling exhibition touring regional NSW and the ACT, the magazines of all four years work was collated into a commemorative book featuring the details of all 76 participating returned service personnel and all the artworks both written and visual. This book is an archive of the project which is treasured by the participating veterans and their families.To date the Australian Spirit project has represented returned service personnel from WW1, WW2, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Women's Land Army, WAAAF and United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus.
The Australian Spirit Project has verified the value and place of poets and artists throughout humanities history. They have given voice to the modern culture to our community and to those that are marginalised and displaced, reflecting the richness of people, places and stories that need to be told.
Australian Spirit would not be made possible without the support of the Central Coast creative community who volunteer their talents and time, and most importantly the participating returned service personnel for sharing their experiences.
Being the Project Co-ordinator of the Australian Spirit Project has been an humbling and rewarding experience, and it will remain a treasured memory. I have had the honour of meeting so many wonderful, selfless, talented and generous people. I have engaged in many emotional conversations with both veterans and creatives, mostly centred around gratitude. The outcomes that this project achieved have gone above and beyond any expectations we held, with all the participants taking something special away from their experience.
As a result of the devotion that Leasha Craig demonstrated throughout this project Leasha was awarded the Central Coast Australia Day Award for Community Service and Activity in 2018.
Below are the artworks created by Leasha Craig during the Australian Spirit project.
"Australian Spirit" involved collaborations between returned service personnel, visual artists, poets and photographers, with the assistance of Central Coast RSL clubs, returned veterans associations, local businesses and the community.
These collaborations result in a multidisciplinary exhibition of poetry and visual arts. Participating returned service personnel are grouped with an artist, poet and photographer. Each of these groups meet and engage in a conversation centred around the veteran's stories, memories and recollections of their experiences during their service. Based upon this meeting inspired artworks, both written and visual are created and exhibited. The exhibitions are accompanied by a commemorative magazine containing all the creative works, along with the bios of the veterans. Throughout the four years of this project the collaborative exhibitions where exhibited throughout the Central Coast, including the foyers of participating RSL clubs on ANZAC Day.
"Australian Spirit" was a four year project which commenced in 2015 and concluded in 2018, spanning the centenary of WW1. Over the four years the project has involved over 200 active participants, resulting in four compelling exhibitions of 76 visual and written artworks inspired by local veterans.
"Australian Spirit" in 2018 culminated as a travelling exhibition touring regional NSW and the ACT, the magazines of all four years work was collated into a commemorative book featuring the details of all 76 participating returned service personnel and all the artworks both written and visual. This book is an archive of the project which is treasured by the participating veterans and their families.To date the Australian Spirit project has represented returned service personnel from WW1, WW2, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq, Afghanistan, Women's Land Army, WAAAF and United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus.
The Australian Spirit Project has verified the value and place of poets and artists throughout humanities history. They have given voice to the modern culture to our community and to those that are marginalised and displaced, reflecting the richness of people, places and stories that need to be told.
Australian Spirit would not be made possible without the support of the Central Coast creative community who volunteer their talents and time, and most importantly the participating returned service personnel for sharing their experiences.
Being the Project Co-ordinator of the Australian Spirit Project has been an humbling and rewarding experience, and it will remain a treasured memory. I have had the honour of meeting so many wonderful, selfless, talented and generous people. I have engaged in many emotional conversations with both veterans and creatives, mostly centred around gratitude. The outcomes that this project achieved have gone above and beyond any expectations we held, with all the participants taking something special away from their experience.
As a result of the devotion that Leasha Craig demonstrated throughout this project Leasha was awarded the Central Coast Australia Day Award for Community Service and Activity in 2018.
Below are the artworks created by Leasha Craig during the Australian Spirit project.
Legacy of Word - 2015
Bronze, Driftwood & WW1 Leather Diary H 30 x W 47 x D 47 cm Inspired by Henry George Warburton Australian Imperial Forces 6th Lighthorse Regiment - Stretcher Bearer Gallipoli - ANZAC Cove 1915 Artist Statement Henry like many returned servicemen rarely spoke of the war. As I read this precious diary I realised how these written words served Henry, helping to release the powerful feelings evoked by war. These poems may have been a way to silence these feelings, no need to speak of them again. 
Esprit De Corps - 2016
Resin, Stainless steel & Stone H 41 x W 37 x D 37 cm Inspired by Colin (Colsey) Thomas Royal New Zealand Navy Korea 1951 Artist Statement The Navy and the high seas gave Colsey a sense of place, the honour and pride when he spoke of the crew's camaraderie inspired my work. Sadly Colsey passed away before this sculpture was completed, it was gifted to his family in loving memory. " Fair winds & Following Seas, Colsey " 
The Guardian - 2018 Resin & Granite H 52 x W 37 x D 30 cm Inspired by Chris Stone Australian Army - South Vietnam 1971 - 1972 New South Wales Police Force 1980 - 2004 Australian Federal Police - East Timor 2001 Artist Statement Chris is the Guardian of the welfare of humanity. His caring Nature offers shelter to those affected by the pointed realities of war and crime. |
Silent Service - 2016
Ceramic, Tin & Timber H 30 x W 29 x D 26 cm Inspired by Lawrence Shaw Royal Australian Navy Ship's Cook Malaya 1654 - 1961 Artist Statement Laurie was proud to serve our country and still serves today, battling for the rights and recognition of fellow comrades whom also served in this, the silent service. 
Prior One - 2017
Resin & Sand H 27 x W 40 x D 38 cm Inspired by Chad Elliot Australian Army 4 Commando Regiment, Special Forces Afghanistan 2006 - 2008 Artist Statement " Prior one " call for unlikely to survive....Chad survived...many of his mates did not. This work honours them all. 
Stairway to Serenity - 2018
Resin, Stainless steel, Recycled timber & Stone H 50 x W 31 x D 37 cm Inspired by Ralph Teeson Australian Army 17 Construction Squadron South Vietnam 1968 - 1969 Artist Statement Since Vietnam Ralph has been confronted with a new enemy, PTSD. He has found an ally within the teachings of Buddhism and continues this battle in defense of his sanity and in search of peace. |
