Ceramicist Cassy Macarthur collects “wild clay” for her practice - image Josh Waddell, 2021

meet our community

Read more about some of our amazing network of creatives and artists, scattered throughout our city.

Gordon Monro

Gordon at work
Labyrinth for Lockdown (digital print), installed in the Known World Bookshop, Ballarat.
The Necessary and the Possible (digital prints, detail).

How did your creative journey begin?

I hated art at school, because I couldn't draw anything that looked like anything. I studied science and mathematics, and worked as a mathematics lecturer; mathematics is creative in its own way. As a side benefit of being in mathematics I acquired programming skills. I was always interested in music, singing in various choirs, and eventually became involved in computer music and sound synthesis. From there I went on to multimedia and eventually purely visual art. The computer gave me a way in.

How would you describe your practice?

My art is mostly abstract and process-driven (not surprising, given my background). I need an inspiration, a starting point (not necessarily a visual stimulus), which usually involves some kind of process. I then write a computer program to carry out the process, which can be simple in theory, but typically involves a lot of trial and error to flesh out the rough idea into something that will actually work as art. The result (the computer output) is in the form of a digital print or video, or real-time computer output.

What are you working on right now?

Only vague thoughts at the moment, but I have been thinking about the way traffic and commuting has shaped our cities, especially Melbourne; it is too early to say where that might lead. I am also learning a new computer language.

What is your connection to Ballarat?

My wife Jane and I retired to Ballarat a while ago, after many years in NSW. We didn't have a previous connection to Ballarat, but we both grew up in Melbourne, and Jane had links with the Western district. We have become involved in community activities here, and I am currently a volunteer guide at the Art Gallery of Ballarat (pandemic permitting).

How would you describe the creative community in Ballarat?

Ballarat is not obviously an "arty" city, but an amazing amount is happening here, and there is a strong sense of identity as a city. I have found the arts community very welcoming.

Can you give us three words to sum up your inspiration?

Simplicity, complexity, interplay

Website: gommog.com / Instagram: Gordon Monro

Blog post image: Singular and Plural (installation). Photo: Eureka Centre Ballarat.

Hexagonal Geometry (Pentaptych) (digital prints)
Cornucopia and Hyperabundant (digital prints)
Equations of the Moon (video projection)

Kathy Horvat30 September 2021

Local artist groups and networks

If you would like your association, group or network highlighted, please drop us a note!

Ballarat Arts Alive is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit org that provides a forum for discussion, advocacy and development supporting the arts and artists of Ballarat and surrounds. Regular events are held to meet up.

More info

**Crafts Council of Ballarat** is dedicated to promoting and supporting the art and craft community of the Goldfields, with a shopfront located at the Adam Lindsay Gordon Collage.

more info

**Ballarat Art Collective** welcomes new members from all walks of life to regularly gather together and share their passion for art in all its forms.

More info

**Goldfields Printmakers** is a collective with a website for Printmakers who produce works predominantly in the art form of print and base their practice in the Goldfields region.
The websites role should act as a resource for these artists to connect and share their knowledge.

MORE INFO

**The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)** was established by members of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community in 1979, delivering health, social, welfare and community programs to local Aboriginal people.

more info

**Soldiers Hill Artist Collective** is a diverse group, who’s objective is to maintain an open and inclusive collective that is focused on promoting local arts and artists, whilst reinforcing the positive social benefit of the arts within the immediate community.

MORE info

**Sonika** is the City of Ballarat Youth Services' FReeZA committee. Sonika meet regularly to plan projects, events and gain event management skills. Sonika also runs a range of free or cheap all ages events that are drug, alcohol and smoke free.

MORE INFO

The **Ballarat International Foto Biennale** attracts significant International and Australian photographers as one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographic festivals. It is a not-for-profit event that immerses the historic town of Ballarat in photographic art.

More info

**Ballaarat Quilters** founded in 1996 by a group of women who wanted to promote the art and craft of quilting in Ballarat. A not for profit association where members meet regularly for a sit, sew and a chat together and exhibit their works to the Ballarat community every two years.

more info

**Ballarat Society of Artists** unvite you to come along and enjoy a friendly get together with other artists and creatives at to our monthly meeting.
BSA meets on the 1st Saturday of the month (except Jan) at 10.30 am at the Brown Hill Uniting Church Hall, Humffray Street North, Brown Hill.

Ballarat Writers.jpg — **Ballarat Writers** is a grass-roots organisation promoting local writing and writers in the Western Victorian region, with monthly Members’ Nights, regular competitions and workshops.

More info

Artists, Makers & Creatives

meet our community

Gordon Monro

Local artist groups and networks