By Peter Douglas
LOCAL artist Murray Lancaster will exhibit a selection of his paintings entitled ‘Chomolungma’ at Arvy’s Gallery, 540 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda, from now until October 14.
The word Chomolungma is the Tibetan word for Mount Everest.
In this exhibition, Murray has tried to interpret the different moods of the world’s highest mountain.
He has visited Nepal six times and trekked in many parts of the country, including a trip to Mount Everest base camp.
Mr Lancaster said he had long been fascinated with mountains.
“That’s a question that many people may ask as they view my work,” he said.
“On a general level, my interest in mountains is both visual and philosophical.
“Visually, I find mountains endlessly fascinating with their intricate patterns of snow and ice, sharp ridges and serrated skylines.”
Lancaster said Mount Everest had proved a particular attraction.
“I have travelled to Nepal for trekking purposes six times in the last 18 years, and in 1999, I walked to just above Mount Everest base camp,” he said.
“This is where my preoccupation started, with documenting the highest peak in the world.
“Reading about mountaineers attempting peaks like Mount Everest has given me an insight into the deprivations one must face in order to reach the summit.
“These are symbols of extreme effort, but along with the courage of climbers, it is inevitable that climbers’ tales also contain stories of greed and selfishness.
Mount Everest has a chequered history in this regard.”
The paintings, done in oil and acrylic, have been completed over the past five years.
The exhibition was officially opened last Sunday.
Opening hours for the gallery are Wednesday to Monday from 10.30am to 5pm (closed Tuesday).
