The Australian Society of Miniature Art (NSW) Inc. was conceived when Australian artist Janine Bravery and a member of the Cider Painters of America met in Paris in 1984. It was decided to form an independent chapter of this society in New South Wales, with a wish for branches to be established in all other States of Australia. It's first meeting was held on 21st June, 1985. In December 1987, the Queensland Society of Miniature Art Inc was formed and there is now a society in Tasmania and in Victoria. In 2006, the Queensland Society was disbanded, however the Society and it's members in other states are still promoting art.
THE MINIATURE IN HISTORY
The art of the miniature is many hundreds of years old. In the Western world the earliest examples can be found in the illuminated capital letters of church manuscripts. The letters were often decorated in pure gold leaf and around them were pictures of everyday life, or from the Bible.
Miniatures have a serious history throughout the world. They are often combined with peom or religious verse in countries such as Iran and India. There is also a long history in Russia.
Through history the portrait miniature became important as a record of loved ones and this is still what many people think of when miniature is mentioned. These tiny portraits, often oval in shape, could be of a face, or more peculiarly, an eye or mouth. They often contained a back panel which carried a lock of hair. They are very much part of the Romantic tradition.
Australia has a long history of the miniature from our earliest day, and our libraries and State Galleries have fine collections.
There is tremendous interest in the art form today throughout the world and it has blossomed to encompass many mediums and subjects.
THE DEFINITION OF A MINIATURE
The definition for this society is a work where the actual art work must not exceed 100 sq cm, (10 cm x 10 cm) or any variation under this size (eg. 12 cm x 8 cm). The 1/6 scale rule, that an object or person may be no more than 1/6 the size it is in nature, has not been adopted by this society, but the 'spirit of miniaturisation' must always be maintained.
A miniature can convey all the beauty and power of a larger work of art but has the added appeal of being a particularly personal object. The viewer must view the work at close range to obtain a full appreciation of both the image and technique. The miniature has always had a feeling of preciousness associated with it due in part to the fact it can usually be held in the palm of your hand.
AIMS OF THE SOCIETY
To create miniature works of excellence
To foster traditional and modern works in miniature
To encourage public awareness and enjoyment of miniature works of art.
MEDIUMS USED BY ARTISTS IN THE MINIATURE SOCIETY
The Society fosters both traditional and contemporary art, realist and abstract.
A visitor to an exhibition of works by the Australian Society of Miniature Art will be aware of an amazing diversity of style and technique within the boundaries of the art form.
Painting: oil, acrylic or watercolour which are executed on paper, ivorine or canvas
Drawing: pen and ink, graphite pencil and coloured pencil
Pastel
Original Prints: etchings, wood-cuts, screenprints etc which are given an edition number which you will see at the bottom left hand corner of the image, eg.: 3/7, where 7 denotes the number of prints in the edition and 3 denotes that this is the third image made from this particular print plate or block or screen. Each print in an edition is identical. There are also hand coloured prints, which have been given colour by paint or ink.
Mixed Media and Collage: A combination of techniques and mediums used together. The images can be 3 dimensional and often include found objects (eg. seed pods or pieces of metal).
3 Dimensional: Books and sculpture, usually free standing pieces created in bronze or stone or plaster.
Photography: limited edition and signed images. We do not, as a society, omit any mediums as excellence in the chosen medium is paramount.
