A Celebration of Kevin Free

I am sure many members know or have heard of Kevin Free. Kevin has been a long standing member of the Association and the mainstay of our demonstrations to the public at our many exhibitions, but I am wondering how many know of the depth of Kevin’s work and experience.
Kevin started sculpting after his landscaping business and nursery ended in our previous major drought in 1983. He has been a full time sculptor since then. He has had a long involvement with trees and conservation.
Kevin works a lot with salvaged timber to create pieces which respect and transcend the natural form, figure and grain of this endlessly absorbing material.
By contrast, Kevin’s work in coralline limestone shows bold exploration of abstract and semi-abstract form.
Kevin has represented Australia in several overseas sculpture symposiums – 2001 in Lebanon, 2002 – New Zealand, 2003/5/7 /9 – Mount Gambier, 2008 Warwick, Q’ld and 2008 Barossa Valley.
Kevin has travelled widely as sculpting tutor for community groups and events, festivals. Consultant to Tasmanian Community Arts Project: Hidden Caves, Common Ground at Gunns Plains 2000. Arts Victoria R.A.D. project New Boundaries, Ararat Regional Gallery 2001 – schools/community partnership, linking three rural council areas. Art Therapy project Sharing the Journey, Oncology Unit East Grampians Health Service, 2006. Glenormiston Winter Craft School 9WS 7 W) SCULPTING TUTOR, 1977/2008. Demonstrated sculpting for ASV display at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show annually.
Kevin has also been an Artist in Schools – running sculpting programs in Primary and Secondary Schools, and T.A.F.E’s, throughout city and country Victoria, and Mt Isa (Qld). Community and Schools Artist for Whittlesea Council’s Redgum Project, 1998-2000. Geelong Grammar Year Ten Arts Week tutor 1997-2007. Kevin has run programmes in 60 schools from 1994-2008.
His Committee work has involved being President/Chair, over 15 years with Community Learning, Ararat Regional Gallery.

Apart from all this Kevin has had time to exhibit in many exhibitions from 1990-2009. In 1996 he opened his own Showroom and Sculpture Garden at his home in Landsborough where he holds an Annual Exhibition for regional artists in his studio. 2009 will be the 18th year of this event which now involves multiple activities throughout the town.
Kevin is slowing down this year and finding the travel a bit much – so his work will be restricted to areas nearer to his home. We are, however, fortunate that he will still be coming down to Melbourne this year to demonstrate at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.
The ASV is very lucky to have had Kevin’s support and involvement over the past ....years and should be very proud to have him as a member.
Bronwyn Culshaw