Art to new high

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
TRAVELS to India and Nepal, and an interest in the great explorers of Mount Everest, are the inspiration of a new exhibition at The Station House.
Tecoma resident Murray Lancaster spent 10 years putting together his collection of works called Himalayan Moods.
Twenty oil-on-canvas paintings, which will be on show during May, were inspired by various trekking trips to India and Nepal.
Mr Lancaster said he had been trekking in Nepal five times in the past 25.
“My wife and I have done a lot of walking in Australia and New Zealand, and I had a particular interest in Mount Everest,” he said.
“There are two purposes for these trips – to enjoy the scenery and provide inspiration.”
Mr Lancaster said he was so inspired by the stories of Mount Everest explorers Sir Edmund Hillary and George Mallory, that he trekked to the Mount Everest base camp 10 years ago.
The other inspiration he gets is from his students.
As an art teacher Mr Lancaster said sharing his work with students is a two-way relationship.
“They will have a different approach sometimes. The younger ones are very enthusiastic, but the older ones have a determination,” he said.
“Once you’re an artist an imperative to show your work and get feedback.”
Mr Lancaster has previously shown his works in exhibitions in the city.
“I’m quite pleased to be showing in the hills – the city can be quite an alien environment,” he said.
The exhibition will be held during May at The Station House, 50 Wray Crescent, Mount Evelyn.
Interested people can meet the artist on 16 May from 2pm to 4pm at The Station House.