ONE OF THE HAWKESBURY ’ S FINEST ...
Multi-talented artist , Kurrajong ’ s Virginia Wheatley , particularly enjoys creating glass mosaics . Here she is pictured with one of her masterpieces , Out of Africa . Photo : Kathryn Johnston by Greg Martin
If Albert Steptoe and his son , Harold , were still in the rag ‘ n ’ bone business they would have rejoiced every time Virginia Wheatley walked into their scrap yard .
The imaginative works this talented artist can produce from re-purposed mirrors , old jewellery and other discarded objects must be seen to be believed .
Those of you too young to know but those old enough to remember , Steptoe and Son was an hilarious hit TV series which ran from 1962 until 1974 .
Most of the episodes revolved around sometimes violent disagreements between the two men , Harold ’ s attempts to woo women and momentary interest over things found on his round .
I ’ m sure if someone like Virginia entered their boneyard , both men would have stopped arguing , knowing there was a sale to be made !
And you will get the opportunity to witness her amazing works when her art will be exhibited at Kurrajong ’ s Village Kitchen , Kurrajong from April 15-May 18 .
Virginia ’ s works will be on display during the café ’ s opening hours , 8am- 2.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays and from 6pm for dinner Friday and Saturday nights .
You can meet Virginia who will be in attendance at the Village Kitchen between 10am – 11am on the weekend of April 15-16 .
“ I am committed to using found and re-purposed items , combining them in wall hangings that are totally unique and unashamedly ‘ bling ’,” Virginia said .
“ The exhibition will also include a retrospective of works , including hand-made earth pastels .”
Virginia is an active member of the local art group , Macquarie Towns Art Society ( MTAS ), which is , as stated in an earlier article in this magazine , still seeking new premises to display and provide workshop space for its members and the public .
Now , dear reader , I had written the above paragraphs prior to meeting Virginia in the flesh and sitting down with her in her Kurrajong home and having a chat .
My pen was working harder than Harold Steptoe trying to get the upper hand over his recalcitrant dad !
As Virginia ’ s story unfolded , I was gobsmacked by the life this woman had led throughout her 72 years on this planet .
Since departing Richmond High as runner-up dux in 1968 ( her twin sister , Jennifer was appointed dux ), Virginia has left no stone unturned to ensure she , as they say , “ lived a life ”.
A revered educator at high schools and TAFE , Virginia was a glutton for self-education , adding a Bachelor of Arts ( Diploma of Education ), Master of Applied Science and
“ I am what you would call a self-realised artist – creating whatever artwork come out of my mind ...”
8 ISSUE 155 // APRIL 2023 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT