Loddon Mallee Renewable Energy Art Award 

BY aimee timpson , victorian based-BASED MEDIA STRINGER

At Rural Room we’re focused on drawing attention to the rich reservoir of creativity and entrepreneurialism within in regional Australia. To illustrate the depth of talent that exists outside urban areas we use our platform to highlight the vast array of people working in artistic spaces. These people are doing incredible things for their communities by sharing stories, arts, photography, generating media, creating events, bringing people together and inspiring those around them. We celebrate these incredible artists, creatives, media makers, film makers, story tellers and influential people. We love sharing the amazing things they’ve achieved and encourage you to support them too! If you have checked out the Rural Room Media Stringers Network be sure to have a peek! Today Aimee Timpson shares the inspiration for her artwork she created as a recipient of the Loddon Mallee Renewable Energy Art Award

In 2019 artist Aimee Timpson was one of ten artists selected to produce a piece of art inspired by their vision of, ‘Our renewable energy future’ for the Loddon Mallee Renewable Energy Art Award.

At the end of the month the works will be toured in an art exhibition showcasing a collective vision of a more sustainable future for Loddon Mallee communities.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Community and Partnerships Regional Manager, Mark Costello, said the DELWP Loddon Mallee Renewable Energy Art Award is the first of its kind in the region.

“Ten local artists were asked to produce one art piece each inspired by their vision of ‘Our renewable energy future’,” Mr Costello said.

“This has resulted in an exciting opportunity for visitors to experience the creative expressions of local artists across multiple art media including paintings, sculptures and electronic pieces.

“We hope the exhibition generates awareness and conversations about the current and future transition from fossil fuels to carbon neutral renewable energy in our local communities.

“It is interesting to see how local creative minds have interpreted a renewable energy future in their communities.”

Aimee shared the inspiration behind her artwork which has been on display in the exhibition at the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre. From the end of the February the exhibition is touring the region stopping in all 10 municipalities.

“Late last year I was awarded Loddon Mallee RenEwable Energy Art Award for the Macedon Shire. This allowed me to create a piece of artwork with a meaning that I’m quite passionate about. 

The art work was a chance for me to create something about climate change and sustainability within our shire and our country. The art work is a mash up of many issues we are facing in Australia. Incidentally, it was created before the bushfires - it may have been very different had I created it this year. 

I started by making my own paper as I wanted to create this artwork in a way that is good for the earth. My art practice is always focused on using and re-using cardboards and canvas multiple times. Some of the thoughts and feelings I fuelled into this work include my frustration about the fact our solar panels are not working and cost a small fortune to get repaired.  I feel there is no support when you’re trying to live a sustainable life. It was concerning to me that the shire had decided we couldn’t recycle glass anymore and then took months to roll out a new bin system. I also wanted to represent the impact on bees, as represented by the bees, slowly fading away within the artwork. You’ll also note the rain falling to no where which portrays my passion for catching, reusing and saving as much water as possible and dually conveys the meaning of support for all Australians. The daisy is about innocence; we are trying our hardest at ground level to educate about how to look after the earth however, it seems that big companies don’t make a change. In the end this battle is for the children, they are the future and they will be the ones that will save the earth.  I hope the government will be compelled to listen, and in this sake look, at my artwork so they can be moved by the messages and finally take action for the younger generations and those to come.”

The artwork will be on display at Maryborough from the 29th Feb - 19th April 2020 at the Old Fire Station, then it will travel to Castlemaine and Kyneton. 

While in Kyneton Aimee will be running workshops on her art practice showing people how to use digital art in a sustainable way. 

For more of Aimee’s work please visit her Facebook Page, Instagram or website.