Our first artist spotlight is on Dr. Ian McGrath, a Fleurieu Peninsula based sculpture artist who retired to the area with the aim of fulfilling the creative dreams that his previous careers had not allowed time for.
As a young man Ian served in the Royal Australian Navy for 10 years, after this time he attended acting classes in Sydney. This evolved into theatre technology - particularly lighting, in which he holds a Doctorate degree alongside a Masters in Creative Arts. This in turn inspired Ian to write for theatre and has resulted in several completed scripts/productions, as well as a collection of text books in the area. Ian's text book “Caretaker of a Vision: Directing the Technical Aspects of a Production” was translated by Nguyen Dinh Thi – a Masters student Ian supervised, which was then published in Vietnam as a part of the 25th anniversary of re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia.
When he is not writing productions Ian creates with discarder materials including salvaged timber, steel and other interesting finds that are either donated to him by neighbours or rescued from the local dump. As one of Ian's characters from his play “Terminal Velocity” argues, “We might do more than conserve: repair and reuse, recycle, rejuvenate till every last goodness is wrung from an item and its potential truly exhausted”. A statement that sums up why Ian chooses only discarded materials to create his artworks. Many of his creations can be seen by travellers in the road side gallery Ian maintains on the verge outside his residence and studio the "Old School House" in Inman Valley, South Australia.
Ian welds together old roofing screws and scrap metal to create pieces that are inspired by local native species, both flora and fauna. In many of Ian's recent works it is easy to see the influence of time spent in Vietnam.
Some of the Ian's notable artistic achievements have been major works in the Fleurieu West Arts Pole exhibition, and Artist’s Trail. As well as being a regular entry in the Yankalilla, Rapid Bay and Myponga Agricultural and Horticultural Society Show, 2016 to 2019 (http://www.yankshow.com/). Where over the years he has more often than not takes home a high placing in the handcrafted items, recycled materials and best in show sections. Currently Ian also holds a position on the Yankalilla Council Arts Advisory group, where he works with council to promote and facilitate arts and cultural activity within the region. Find more information on that here: https://www.yankalilla.sa.gov.au/library-and-community/arts-and-culture/arts-and-culture-advisory-group
Ian can be contacted through his details on the artist bio page,(coming soon) or through email and messages to Fleurieu Handmade. And follow us on all our socials to see more of Ian and keep up to date with all things Fleurieu Handmade!
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