One half of the artistic team that came up with those fabulous zebras on Lake George back in 2010 is opening an exhibition of her latest works, brightly coloured pots depicting, in some cases, life-sized women.
Julie Aston's exhibition The Gathering will be on from November 24 to December 1 at Adobe House in Hawker.
There are 40 pots in the exhibition, Julie having used the everyday objects as canvases for her artwork.
The "depiction of women from many walks of life comes alive with the addition of living plants".
Concealed castors allow for easy movement of the pots.
The exhibition will be opened by Geoff and Rhondda Cleary, who owned and ran Pialligo Plant Farm and Studio 12.
Julie and her husband and fellow artist Alan caused a sensation back in 2010 when they put their beautifully crafted herd of fibreglass zebras on Lake George.
The zebras, named Stopper, Reviver, Surviver and Dasher were installed on Lake George next to the Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley VC rest stop.
"For about three weeks there were about 2000 people per day stopping to see the zebras," Alan said.
"The rest stop organisers were ecstatic to have so many people stop, revive and survive. Then, the Department of Lands told us to remove the zebras. The Canberra Times' reporting promoted so much public support that it was agreed to allow the zebras to stay.
"The local council agreed to a development plan and a South African Bank agreed to sponsor the display."
Then, the zebras were vandalised in August, 2010.
The remains were taken back to the Astons' studio in Hawker, rebuilt and exhibited at Floriade.
The zebras were later donated to Pegasus the Riding School for the Disabled in Holt.
A new herd of zebras were displayed by the Astons at Sculptures by the Sea in Sydney in 2011.
Those zebras were eventually all purchased.
"A couple went to Perth and I know one is in the eastern suburbs in Sydney. Don't know about the others," Alan said.
But the display did lead to the couple being commissioned to make four more zebras, including one for television personality Amanda Keller.
"Two for the head offices of Investec Bank in Sydney and Melbourne, one to Amanda Keller and one to a guy with a deck overlooking Bondi Beach," Alan said.
But now it's all about fabulous women and beautiful coloured pots to brighten up the home, especially leading to Christmas.
- The Gathering exhibition is at Adobe House, 26 Goodparla Street, Hawker.
- It's on November 24 to December 1, 10am to 5pm.
