Local musician, wood turner and inventor, Graham Paton, entered four intricate lampshades with beautiful bases in the Escapee Trail this year.
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The winning entrant in the Escapee trail was his grandfather’s hat - its luminous colours glowing in sponsor The Rocks Travel.
A local voter won the $50 gift card for his vote.
Each of Graham’s lamps is different: from the elegant art deco, Eco Deco, to the delicately decorated Butterfly Apocalypse and the colourful Gathering For Light. Ironically, Graham’s interest started with the bases derived from his passion for wood turning.
Graham also entered a fabulous handmade musical instrument, the Viola De Harold in the Gaol sculptures: upon request, Graham played the viola to the great delight of other artists installing their works.
Graham began making instruments out of a frustration with getting a guitar to sustain notes during improvised instrumentals.
He then started making solid bodied instruments, some with outrageous designs. Graham counts himself fortunate indeed to have been mentored by a brilliant, innovative , largely unrecognised musician and luthier from Alaska, Daniel Braucli who now lives in Tasmania.
“He was contemporary with a group who were pioneering carbon fibre lattice braced soundboards here in Australia. The most notable of these being Greg Smallman. Some of the guitars made by these luthiers sell for upwards of $30,000,” Graham said.
Diana Clark of The Rocks Travel was delighted that ‘her’ sculpture won.
“I always encourage my customers to vote. Sculpture in the Gaol is a great event that really fosters the arts in our valley,” Diana said.
A great arts supporter- Diana is now involved with the Rotary Club art exhibition (formerly known as the Adelaide Swift Memorial) at South West Rocks Public School, opening on Friday October 5 at 7pm.
The Escapee Trail was sponsored by a host of South West Rocks businesses: Arakoon Computers; Coastline Credit Union, Good Vibes Homeware, Horseshoe Bay Tourist Park, Malt and Honey, Raw Spice, Rocks Central, Saltwater Hairstyles, Seabreeze Beach Hotel, Sixty degrees, South West Roxy Cinema, The Rocks Travel. Sculpture in the Gaol is held annually in August.
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