Justine studied Fine Art at Victorian College of the Arts. She has been teaching over the past 30 years and making art.
Hi Justine, Can you tell me what brought you to Castlemaine?
When I was a child I would come to visit my uncle who was a lovely warm fellow and my auntie who lived in Chewton. They were happy times, enjoying the bush and collecting eggs from the chickens, which we cooked for breakfast.
My dad and uncle opened the Wallace Brothers Gallery in Hargraves street in Castlemaine, which ran for years showing local artists’ work. When I spent time with my dad as a kid he was usually busy so I hung out for hours at the Theatre Royal playing an old table top game called ‘Galaga’.
My nan also lived in Castlemaine in Gingell Street and I have fond memories of my visits to her and being given Golden Gaytime ice-creams.
What do you love about this part of the world?
I have always loved Castlemaine. Living in the city for many years, my plan was to return here one day. I love the community and remember when I was a kid having friends and family connections, which are the best things you can hope for in your life. I love being around nature and watching the seasons change. The yellow wattles come out you know that winter will be over. The Crimson rosellas arrive and lay their eggs in the nesting box. Then they hatch and fly away. The dam fills up and goes down and all this makes me feel connected.
What keeps you busy lately Justine?
I am sculpting a portrait of my uncle, David Wallace. Like me, he is a retired art teacher. When we talk about teaching and education there’s a lot of joy, but also sadness. Over the decades, we’ve both seen teaching, art and humanities become more and more devalued over time. It’s been difficult to watch, because David believes that art and education are for everybody, not just for a privileged few.
My work questions the traditions of portraiture and public sculpture, which tends to represent a very narrow view of history. We need to balance gender, class and racial representation in public statues.
What are your other interests?
I study and learn about animals, which I also sculpt and paint. I study the indigenous plants and animals in the area. I live near a nature reserve where there are phascogales and echidnas. I have a concern about the damage from climate change and deforestation. I am interested in protecting the indigenous flora and fauna as we expand into their habitat.
Who would your three dream dinner guests be?
Louise Bourgeois – French-American sculptor, Penny Wong and Bruce Pascoe.
What are your pet peeves?
There is not enough public figurative sculpture commemorating history-making women an First Nation’s Peoples in Australia. Figurative public sculptures are almost always depictions of men, by men. This sends a very clear message to communities that we don’t value and celebrate diversity nearly as much as we should.
What are you reading at the moment?
I listen to podcasts and at the moment am listening to Alli Ward, Ologies, who interviews specialists in their fields. It is very entertaining and interesting.
– By Melanie Barnes