We have lost a true friend!
Chris Humphreys crossed many borders in his life as an artist and a community citizen. He did not see a ‘border’ between Tenterfield and Stanthorpe nor between the works of a potter or any other artist and a woodworker and we are all the richer for his attitude.
Chris was a great thinker who researched the history of any early Australian artists who had any connection to our region.
‘Another’ Chris was the older established artist, quite happy in his own skin, but ever encouraging of the young regional emerging artists, quietly purchasing a work here and there, and offering any knowledge he could share. Maybe we should all try to be more like Chris in his approach to art and life.
Chris exhibited in a number of exhibitions in the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery during the 1990s and 2000s. His work has been shown in every Stanthorpe Arts Festival since 1990 and a piece of his work has been selected for the upcoming 2012 festival.
His Brief Moments in Time exhibition in June 1997 was as diverse as it was exciting. From lino cuts to granite, and gunmetal to spotted gum, the exhibition showed a visual journey through life using more than 80 different timbers, several metals, marble and granite.
Chris also took part in a number of group exhibitions since the new gallery opened in 1987.
Commercially, Chris was commissioned to produce art work to enhance the Railway Street corner when funding was available for streetscape improvements.
This resulted in the Brass Monkey brass sculptures that have become an attraction and great talking point for visitors to the Granite Belt.
And who could forget the empyrean gallery roof installation that formed part of the 2008 Stanthorpe Art Festival. Although best seen from an airplane high in the sky, the installation was ‘magic’ – a glimpse from various parts of the town really caused one to look up and smile.
Chris didn’t see any reason that a Tenterfield artist shouldn’t be involved with the management of the Stanthorpe Art Gallery Society.
He served as president twice; in 2005/2006 and 2010/2011 and chaired the Art Festival committee on two previous occasions – in 2006 and 2010. Chris was also chairman of the 2012 Stanthorpe Art Festival until December 2011 when he resigned for health reasons.
During these years, he quietly donated to the gallery significant works of regional artists.
Chris always had time to talk – his love of life, and art and history and people – just about any subject, if you had time, so did he. To anyone who showed interest in a subject dear to his heart, Chris was always happy to share what he knew. But, in other ways, Chris was a very private person – a friend to many, but few people ever got to know him well.
Story: Teena Wilcock OAM
