First West-Star Motors Twilight Visual Arts Seminar

International award-winning jeweller Rex Steele Merten and his twin, acclaimed sculptor Carl Conrad Merten, will present the first West-Star Motors Twilight Visual Arts Seminar at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) on Wednesday 2 July 2008.

The twins will present the seminar during their time as tutors-in-residence at the 2008 USQ McGregor Winter School.

The creative process and artistic motivations will be the focus of Rex's presentation.

'Emphasis will be on creativity and the myriad of stimuli that trigger creative ideas and their resolution in the finished piece, whether it be two or three dimensional,' Rex said.

'The influence of contemporary and even future technologies will be a part of my presentation,' he said.

A jeweller for 53 years Rex is the only Australian craftsman jeweller to have won four Diamonds International Awards, considered the ‘Oscars' of the international jewellery world.

With experience in designing and making a wide range of styles and objects from silver hollowware to diamond jewellery, Rex has lead regular master classes in design, drawing and rendering and practical technique.

Carl said seminar attendees will gain insight into the artistic process from an artists' perspective.

'Basically we will talk on how we practice our art – the people and things that influence us, development of ideas, philosophy, the pleasure of making art,' he said.

A sculptor since 1960 Carl is recognised as an enthusiastic and inspirational tutor with experience as a sculptor, silversmith and metallic artist.

Carl has been commissioned to produce large sculptures for communities in various New South Wales (NSW) towns including Gunnedah and Armidale.

The conversational-style seminar will include question time and an opportunity for attendees to meet the artists and view their works up-close.

The hour-long seminar begins at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, 2 July 2008 in the USQ Arts Theatre, and will be followed with a meet-the-artists reception including light refreshment.

For further information and booking details, visit the website USQ Artsworx website or contact the USQ Box Office on 07 4631 1111 or boxoffice@usq.edu.au

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559