Nancy Whittaker, Tarrangower Times

Just down the road from me is the fabulously revitalised Methodist Church, which is now Cascade Art Gallery. 

At the recent launch of Jeff Gardner’s book of poetry and prints Lucy the Dragon, Dr. Juliet O’Conor made a very insightful speech. She is a specialist in children’s book history, having curated a collection of five centuries of children’s books at the State Library of Victoria.

The exhibition includes the No. 1 print from each Limited Edition over the last 20 years. 170 prints and new Jeff Gardner etchings inform the narrative of this exhibition. Jeff’s prints are dreamlike, with entertaining titles such as Small Treasures and Life in Orbit. Swirling energy and fine detail are depicted in a variety of printmaking methods including etching, drypoint, aquatint, screen print and lithographs. In her opening address Dr. O’Conor explained the background to the book in considerable detail.

To quote, “Many of you know Jeff through his achievements as painter and printmaker, but as we absorb the chronology of his first printings around us, I’d like to add the context of his poetry. Jeff’s latest book of poetry, Lucy the Dragon, is available in the magnificent limited edition of 10 copies plus one artist proof and as the first book in the Little Orbit Books series.

Lucy the Dragon complements Jeff’s earlier collection of verse Two Noisy Miners Went to Sea, and he regularly contributes his poetry to the quarterly Daylesford Macedon Life Magazine. 

Jeff was travelling with his daughter Pippa who was 12 years old and unimpressed with the lengthy trip. So, Jeff amused her with stories inspired by her new puppy Lucy the Labrador. This was the genesis of the first story in verse called Rabbit Jam in the book Lucy the Dragon. 

This marvellous family story references many things in Jeff’s life in addition to his wonderful daughter Pippa. A further influence is the 19th century English artist, writer of travel journals and nonsense poetry, Edward Lear.

I spent a sociable afternoon speaking to Jeff, Kareen and Pippa about the inspiration and execution of the breadth of creative endeavour that brings us all here to celebrate Jeff’s body of work. Jeff explained that he wanted to be an artist from the age of 14 and first wrote poetry and stories when he was 15, combining them with his drawings.

Pippa says that growing up everything she did with Jeff was about creating stories.

Kareen Anchen, Cascade Art Gallery Director has been the driving force behind publication of both the Little Orbit Books version and the limited edition of Lucy the Dragon. I have been lucky to see some of the future manuscripts Jeff and Kareen have prepared and they are sublime.

These editions of Lucy the Dragon are the culmination of the extraordinary creativity of Jeff Gardner, and the familial relationships between Pippa, Kareen and Jeff.

It seems fitting that I conclude by quoting Pippa. She told me she adores the book and the character of Lucy the dragon, noting that Jeff’s talent is inspiring, his imagination exceptional and that in fact everything Jeff does is art.”

Dr O’Conor concluded by saying, “Today, we celebrate Jeff as a superb painter, printmaker and poet.”

Drop into the Cascade Art Gallery between now and 31 January: at The Church, 1A Fountain Street, Maldon. 

For further information call 0408 844 152 or go to www.cascadeart.com.au or info@cascadeart.com.au. 

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 17 December 2021.