If you are looking for an example of work by some of the finest and most notable artists in and around Perth you need only stop in the gallery at Charlie Gairdner's.  The catalogue is a list of who's who and the work displayed is a broad collection of exhibits ranging from the exuberantly expressive to the most formal abstraction.

Ninety-five artists combine to provide something for everyone.  There is a definite sense of mystery in John Cullinane's fine painting Passing By where men and dogs, brush work and warm colours seem to hurry across the picture plane in an attempt to escape ... what?

 I do appreciate the commanding gaze in Stuart Green's Study - Self Portrait and the powerful effect of the colour and composition in Greek Memory Image by Allan Baker.  In this painting the dark almost spectral, yet very physical, presence of the figure intrigues the viewer.

Jennifer Hopewell's One Day at a Time is a collection of twelve small repetitions of a landscape, or perhaps it is a tidal flat, that beautifully collect the mood and colours of the same place at different times.  One can look at this seemly humble presentation for a very long time and continue to touch on new thoughts and/or feelings.

But time and tide stands still in the 3D construction by Jon Tarry.  Being Here, Being There offers a convex lozenge divided by a strong horizon line that separates upper light from lower dark.  Linear marks emanate from two points, one above the other below the horizon, to suggest an attempt at positioning.  We are left to devise whether or not we are on land, sea or perhaps coming in from somewhere beyond the moon.  A highly satisfying and provocative image, a deserving winner.