'Abi Fantastic' Art Exhibition – 3 October

In conjunction with Visions of the Unexpected – A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea by Daniel Milbourn.

The exciting work of Ferndown artist, Abi Fantastic is being exhibited this Sunday in Ferndown and will appeal to those with an eye for abstract expressionistic art.

Working in the main media of acrylic paints, spray paints, household and gloss paint, inks and other collaged materials, Abi creates striking paintings and collages.

Abi says, “Influences come from all around but mainly from life experience and situations and being aware of our social surroundings. A simple line or shape on something could trigger off a string of ideas painting for visual enjoyment and excitement to the eye.”

Awarded Art Student of the Year two years running, whilst studying art, photography and English literature at Poole College, Abi went on to complete a year foundation course in Art and Design at Bournemouth's Art Institute gaining a merit award. Over the last three years she has studied a Fine Art degree at Kingston University.

Her work has been exhibited at the Exchange Bar in Soho, she also put on a solo exhibition at Kingston University and a joint sculptural installation at The Secret Garden Party festival with promising plans to continue with another installation next year.

Progression plans are to have a joint exhibition at the gallery Cake in Dublin, and Abi also has plans of organising an exhibition at the artist run space of Auto Italia in Peckham, London.

Local people can appreciate and purchase artwork by Abi Fantastic at Ferndown Village Hall, Church Road, Ferndown this Sunday, 3 October from 1pm.

The exhibition is combined with a photographic exhibition by Daniel Milbourn called Visions of the Unexpected – A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea. 

In 2009 Daniel Milbourn spent two months living among the diverse beauty and culture of Papua New Guinea. Far from the beaten track, Daniel learnt first-hand the truth behind Papua New Guineas coinage as - ‘The Land of the Unexpected.’

Widely held as one of the world’s last bastions of wilderness, Papua New Guinea is home to over a thousand tribal groups and 850 distinct languages. Around 85% of the population lives in rural areas with 60% of the population living in abject poverty. Noted as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, Daniel's journey was one that took him from the squatter settlements of Port Moresby, through the darkest jungles of the gulf province and into the heart of an ancient Papua New Guinea from which the innate beauty of this land resonates.

Daniel's photographs depict a Papua New Guinea hidden from the public eye. A Papua New Guinea conflicted by the modernization of a country steeped in tradition.

Kaugere settlement and the people of Kaugere community form a backdrop for many of these images. Kaugere is a settlement gripped by poverty, violence and crime and has a reputation across Papua New Guinea as a notorious breeding ground for the ‘Raskal’ gangs. There is no running water in Kaugere, electricity is scarcely connected and scores of family members share makeshift shacks built into the mountain. For generations, a perpetual cycle of poverty, hopelessness and crime, coupled with the virtually non-existent opportunities for education and employment, have driven crime rates in Kaugere and across Papua New Guinea through the roof. However, the arrival of an Australian woman named Lydia Kailap - who has been tirelessly working to provide aid, education and opportunity - has turned the fortunes of this community around.

Following Lydia and her Papua New Guinean husband, Peter’s work on the ground, a charity has been formed called ‘CUMA – PNG’. This is aimed at raising international awareness while carrying out international fundraising.

Daniel Milbourn's Exhibition is aimed at raising money for CUMA - PNG.  All profit will be going directly to CUMA – PNG to aid in the running of the community school and to begin implementing the building of a health care centre that will provide essential medical care and advice to the community. CUMA – PNG is a young charity and one that aims to grow in its mission to aid and empower communities gripped by poverty across Papua New Guinea. For more information visit us at our website www.cuma-png.org