When I last wrote about progress on my book, Melbourne’s Sculpture it was the end of March. I am now three months behind schedule with my book.
Progress of the book has been slowed with getting better photographs than the ones I’d taken, mine weren’t really up to scratch for publication. I never really thought of myself as a photographer and I knew that my photography was the weakest part. I should have asked more questions about it and read the camera manual.
So plan B for the photographs and start to develop a plan C; scratch plan B after two months of going nowhere. Move on to plan C and start to develop a plan D and whole vicious cycle goes on. Somewhere in all of this I decided to do some renovations and a major clean up of the house.
Paul Montford, John Wesley statue,1935, Melbourne
There has so many lows, more pleas for help on windy winter nights, so few highs recently (some great sculpture exhibitions at RMIT, Callum Morton at Anna Schwartz and Inge King at the NGV) and far too much waiting. It is hard to be patient and anxious at the same time. Waiting can be horribly distressing and at time I felt I was being drip fed hope. The street artist, Mal Function who makes those little gremlin heads finally read and replied to my email six months later but not too late as it happens.
I didn’t feel like writing my blog during this time; too uncertain of what the future would bring, too something. It is an odd feeling because the fate of the book was no longer in my hands. It was a good experience editing with Chloe Brien the book. Everyone is doing a wonderful job holding it together around me, the publisher, David Tenenbaum has been patient, my wife, Catherine and especially my old friend, Paul Candy who had been most helpful when exactly when I needed it. Lots of thanks; I must rewrite the acknowledgements for the book.
The book will now have photographs kindly supplied by the City of Melbourne, ConnectEast, State Library of Victoria and several photographers. More thanks.
Amongst the photographers I actual meet Matto Lucas. I had seen some of his work years ago but I had only met him virtually a few weeks earlier; his Facebook post are are often a work of art. I’d also seen his photography in his blog the Melbourne Art Review.
None of the photographs in this post will appear in the book.
Charles Robb, Landmark, 2005
Bruce Armstrong, Eagle, 2002, Docklands
Black Mark 
July 1st, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Hang in there Mark. I also know the feeling of having publications delayed due to process issues (in one case, years, if that’s any consolation). It’ll be worth it in the end and you’ll have the work forever. I’m reminded too of my band days and all the issues with contracts, recordings, pressings etc. Love the Charles Robb piece, btw.
July 1st, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Thanks Stefan. I keep telling myself that I could still be looking for a publisher.
Charles Robb is the perfect antidote to all the 19th century public sculptures. I wish that I could get access to more photographs of his sculptures.
July 10th, 2014 at 4:06 PM
I hope you are moving through your cloudy days, Mark. All good creatives have this and it’s an important part of the process. Overcoming hurdles, times of self doubt, working through options and the best way forward.
And all the time wondering if people will like the outcome.
I see these times as a sort of a catharsis, albeit painful and unsettling at the time. And, of course, few people talk about it. But once on the other side of this everything is clearer and you have resolved so many things.
And sometimes it’s best to step away from everything, remove the pressure, and let your mind do its own thing for a while.
When you’re ready get back to writing your wonderful blogs.
Adele Dimopoulos
http://www.kondimopoulos.com – you will know his work when you see it.
July 10th, 2014 at 4:27 PM
Thanks Adele, this week things are progressing much faster and I have seen some beautiful photos that Matto has taken for the book. I recognised Konstantin’s work instantly from Federation Square. Cheers, Mark