Ray Rixon is the man behind the idea - the main protagonist of The White Bluff Project. It is Ray who formulated the original concept of organic collaboration between multi-disciplinary artists. And it was Ray, who chose White Bluff as the nexus of inspiration.
Now, after years of hard work, and despite some frustrating delays and a crippling pandemic, finally, The White Bluff Project is coming to life and, at the same time, coming to its end. The project exhibition opens on 30 October 2021 at Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery. So today, we sit down with Ray and discuss some of the action behind The White Bluff Project, as the participants prepare for the opening of the final exhibition.
And speaking of ‘final’ things, we ask Ray about his final feelings on the White Bluff Project’s collaborative concept?
“It has blown me away. I originally had this idea that we wanted artists who were prepared to jump out of their comfort zone, because one of the foremost aims was to give local artists the opportunity to expand beyond their usual modes of working and to perhaps broaden their strategies and their technical abilities. That was part of the opportunity that we wanted to offer. And then of course when scientists came on board, the passion of the scientists and the fact that scientists have turned out to be the most interesting creatives — we hadn't really bargained for that.
“We wanted to engage them in the process but some of the ideas for projects that have come from them and the inspiration they have provided has been incredible.
“Of course we've got creatives from so many different genres - that has also brought an interesting mix. The projects that I have worked on with people are in areas that many of us don't normally work in. That's so exciting and enriching.
“Because this was such a process-based project, it's just flowed the way we had hoped. I think that we've managed to engineer a good collaborative collegiate group of people. For me it's been like a breath of fresh air. The exhibition will be wonderful but that's very much a side issue to the collaborative process that we've all been involved in. Its so, so marvellous.”
The ‘side issue’ of the exhibition is, however, one of the most hard fought for aspects of the entire project. The realisation of a final exhibition of works has been beset by setbacks, hampered by forces outside of the project’s control - ie. pandemic, flooded gallery - and while the process of collaboration has been amazing, all participants have commented on how important it is to exhibit, to show work, as a visual artist. That is the life blood of the work they do.
The impact of the pandemic not only postponed the original exhibition date by 12 months but it also restricted social interactions which meant a complete rethink on how to conduct collaborations within the White Bluff team. Ray describes how he developed a kind of musical artworks process. One person would have a piece for a couple of weeks and then they'd pack it up and leave it down the bottom of the driveway and the next person would pick it up and off they go.
So, the final exhibition will be as exciting for the participants as it is for the public, with many collaborators having never seen the final pieces that will go on display.
Ray, why on earth White Bluff? What is so special about that one small headland no-one’s ever heard of?
“I used to live near White Bluff. I've painted the area for nearly 40 years. I've always loved the topography. Then, when I was leaving White Bluff to move into Coffs Harbour I thought, wouldn't it be great to tie a bow around this place by getting together all these artists and creative minds — mostly people that I've always been keen to work with — and offer a collaborative project to the Regional Gallery.
“I was like in my late teens early 20s and a surf addict when I first went to White Bluff. In those days, it would have been all about the surf and the warm water. clean water, little sparkling waves and a pretty girl in a bikini on my arm. You know, what's not to love. That would have been my first response.”
“Now I have a much deeper connection with White Bluff. It’s the energy and having been intimately involved with it over the years and seeing the changes that have come over time, you know the pressures of urbanisation and the environmental pressures of climate and wind/sun.”
Seeing that change is something that has informed Ray’s art works for The White Bluff Project. The pieces he has created talk to the fragility and beauty of the natural environment and the interdependence of everything that surrounds us.
Some background here, then. Ray has been an artist for 40 years, primarily with painting and drawing but he has been in visual arts education for even longer, spending 50 years teaching in one form or another but primarily as a visual arts teacher. He is also a well-known local yoga teacher and practitioner and has a yoga name: ‘rudra shanti’. Given to him by his own yoga teacher, the name is about tearing away the veils of illusion to reveal peace. In his yogi tradition it’s an ideal to aim for, a sort of life purpose and something he aims to help others in.
“One of the things someone told me early on at teachers college was people remember how much you care not how much you know.”
It is a note that resonates with The White Bluff Project. If there is one thing evidenced in all the works prepared for, and delivered, for The White Bluff Project final exhibition it is how much each artist cares for their work, the collaborative concept, the vision of Ray’s original idea and the site itself.
“Underlying everything for me, as it's turning out also for a number of other creatives involved, is allowing the site to have its say in the creation of the work.”
The White Bluff Project exhibition opens on Saturday 30 October 2021 at Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery. It runs through until 15 January 2022.