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Great Southern Bale Trail

Leongatha

GSBT Leongatha banner
Pearlescent
Artists: Anne Miller
Materials: Oyster shells
GSBT Leongatha sketch

The cycle of life is unhinged when shucked opened however the repurposing of the shell creates a birth of reuse.

Anne Miller

Artist

An oyster shell is a small entity on its own it is complex in colour, texture, purpose and application. The shells offer an engagement between consumption, waste, the environment and potential transformation for reuse. An oyster is made up of a living organism, a lid and bottom.

The cycle of life is unhinged when shucked opened however the repurposing of the shell creates a birth of reuse. It seemed a perfect fit that a water tank and a oyster shell should pair up for the Great Southern Bale Trail project. Both are united by farming and share a dependancy on water.

The water tanks caught my attention, they are large, man made, smooth, inanimate and practical whilst the shell in contrast is small, organic, living, complex and intricate. An oyster shell grows and lives in a cluster, a water tank is usually a recluse of the rural landscape. The shells pearlescent appearance is in contrast to the matt surface of a tank and the repeated shell motif can be grouped and shaped to reflect the fluidness of water that once united them. What delights me about the union is how the shell emits its own pearlescent effect be it during the day or in moon light whilst the tanks stand like large sundials shaping constantly moving shadows that speak to the sun.
millersroad.com.au   @millersroad   @annemillerart

Keith and Pat Kuhne

Farmers

Located at Bushlea
Corner of Gwyther Siding Road and South Gippsland Highway – Leongatha

Oyster shells on water tanks in the countryside - This dramatic and jaw dropping concept was imagined by Foster based artist Anne Miller. Her love affair with the seemingly ordinary oyster shell began as she was savouring some beautiful oysters from her local fishmonger Lachie and Alice Duncan. As you observe each shell, she describes, the outer layer is a mixture of rough and textured shades of greys to sandy browns. The inside of the shell in contrast is smooth, shiny and pearlescent – containing the essence of the ocean, a delicious oyster and ever so rarely a precious jewel, a pearl.

Water tanks in the country are a vital lifeline and precious to both animal and human life. A farming necessity, water tanks form an important part of the seasons, capturing and storing water for the dryer months. It was this juxtaposition, which entranced Anne. Inspired by ancient Indigenous art and the fluidity of the ocean, Anne positions oyster shells one by one to express the movement and flow of water. The concrete tanks which caught her eye at the entrance of Leongatha are her canvas.

It seems fitting that these unassuming water tanks sit on ‘Bushlea’ – a farm steeped in history and tales of an unassuming and yet internationally acclaimed farmer.

Keith Kuhne is referred to by his peers as a Master Breeder. Derrick Frigot, MBE, Patron of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau personally refers to him as the Master of The Master Breeders - the finest of world Jersey cattle breeders. For the past seventy-five years, he has produced the highest quality of dairy cows both in the milking parlour but also in the competitive show rings of Australia. Furthermore, he has provided the global Jersey population with sires and genetics, which have improved breeds in many countries.

The 144-acre property, of which only 40 acres were cleared, was initially purchased in 1938 by Keith’s father Norm and uncle Bert. The sole income for the humble farmers in the first year was from the milking of 15 cows. The farm became known as ‘Bushlea’ and later on was registered as the ‘Bushlea Jersey Stud’ in 1945. After the death of his father, Keith and his brother Doug alongside his mother Marj continued to care for the family farm. He later married his Scottish wife Pat who joined him in the family business. It is no surprise that the Kuhne family legacy continues through Keith son’s Wayne and his wife Lisa, now also part of the Bushlea farming tradition.

As the Great Southern Bale Trail was announced, Anne Miller found herself knocking on the door of Keith and Pat Kuhne sharing her vision for creating large murals using oyster shells on their tanks.

Anne is a multi disciplinary artist and her first interactions with the shells were to paint miniature coastal seascapes within the pearlescent structures but soon became interested in the oyster shell lids, often simply discarded. Each lid has a black dot reminiscent of an eye. And it is with this unique part of the shell that she has installed hundred upon hundreds of glimmering and shimmering lids over the three water tanks. ‘Pearlescent’ is paying homage to vessels and farming, both which hold water, provide life and food.

Anne’s ‘Project Pearlescent’ draws connection between consumption, waste and the environment. Each tank has a different design, some adorned with large serpent like rainbow, symmetrical arcs and crashing waves whilst another is wrapped in a more sensible yet beautiful wrap around motif. Each shell has been hand picked, hand cleaned and adhered to the top part of each tank ensuring there is no interference with the animals.

This piece is a photographers delight. Ensure to bring your camera to capture the various light shows and shadows during the day against the rugged landscape of the golden paddock or be mesmerised by their pearlescence under the moonlight.

By Beatrice Imbert

Anne Miller

Artist
Anne Miller

Bushlea Farm

Farmer
Keith Kuhne

The title "Master Breeder" is sometimes handed to men or women who have had success over a short period of time in breeding, or produced one or two exceptional animals. In the case of Keith Kuhne, the title is not nearly adequate ... perhaps the Master of Master Breeders" would be more appropriate for this finest of world Jersey cattle breeders. Keith's careful breeding of the Jerseys with the Bushlea Farms prefix for the past seventy- five years truly acknowledges his expertise of producing dairy cows, generation after generation, of the highest quality, both in the milking parlour or the very competitive show-rings of Australia. But not just breeding generation after generation of outstanding females, Keith has provided the global Jersey population with sires and genetics that have improved the breed in many countries. Keith is a quiet, unassuming man, and when in his presence, one feelsthat you are with a person of rare knowledge of the Jersey breed and confident in his ability to produce the finest dairy cattle on the planet. A very special gentleman of the Jersey breed.

Derrick Frigot,
MBE Patron,
World Jersey Cattle Bureau

GSBT Leongatha Images
Great Southern Bale Trail Artists

Drive safely when approaching the installations and park well off the road. Please respect this property as a working farm.  Do not enter under any circumstance. View the artworks according to current COVID Safe regulations.