A Night at Three Artists One Family

Words: Faith Thurnwald
Photos: Faith Thurnwald

I attend the Three Artists one Family event in the familiar streets of Noosaville. It’s a homecoming, a family affair and a high school reunion and it’s a very, very hot day. I’m sweating profusely. Having survived a dizzying heatstroke induced two-hour drive from the city; I was ready for a nice cold beer.

So beer in toe, lets go –

Valentino’s art catches my eye first, predominately because it’s closest to the ice bucket of beers, and in my heatstroke induce delirium I walked straight past Stefan Koch’s huge five – something – meter mural, but back to that later.

Valentino’s display consists of surrealist portraiture, with photo stenciling and pixilation in a multidisciplinary manner that has become his signature. Valentino doesn’t just paint art; he plays with it. You can’t steal your eyes away from one of his huge nudes (insert small penis joke), his almost aggressively sexual stare undresses you, while he sips from his wine glass in a nonchalant manner, as if to say, ‘meh, I’ve seen better’. Of this collection my favorite of his works is ‘Martian March To Darling Opera’, depicting three figures walking in surreal 3D like perspective, creating an almost tunnel vision effect as you lean into the paintings view point: a rainbow, almost psychedelic Sydney Opera House.

I make my way into Stefan’s house: an old riverside artists’ hub, where Stefan has been living for the better part of 40 years. This is where the magic happens. His home is that of all good artists: eclectic, with milk lid curtains, a one legged lamp, and fabric walls. Stefan’s art hangs on his multicoloured walls, and this is where the artistic flare shines. His collection is a combination of political and social commentary and a tongue-in-cheek piss take. One piece depicts Parliament House as a space ship, in response to Peter Dutton’s plans for a Space Nation. Well Peter, I think you know what you can do with that idea.

In another of his works a couple embrace, their loving touch a depiction of a 1950’s dream. He’s in a suit, she’s in an apron, and their baby? A washing machine: a true treasure of its time. Stephan combines cubism and saturated colour to contrast how dull, how dreary that dream really is.

But back to his mural – consisting of twelve canvas boards, this piece (insert small penis joke) is large – larger then life! Spring Puzzle’; a mural depicting an ecstasy fuelled dream state: perky tits, palm trees, paper kites, flowers blooming and couples embracing, need I say more? If this is the dream, take me to bed.

Eva’s signature style is sensual. It’s sexy women doing sexy things: existing, smoking a cigarette (smoking is cool again), and applying lipstick. They’re a love letter to the female form and specifically the female face. Eva’s art is fabulous and fun, but don’t let that fool you in thinking her technique is not on par with that of something more ‘serious’. Eva has honed her skill so completely, each portrait masterfully penciled, or painted in an erotic embrace.

I leave the Three Artists One Family exhibition and this riverside house of history, described by Stefan as a – once upon a time – shack in the ghetto of Noosa. Now a humble artists abode hidden in the crevices of a millionaires whitewashed doorstep, it’s hard to imagine.