A tribute to backyard artists: Welcome to the ‘Little Library’ for art

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When Nicole Robertson was growing up in New England in the US, her grandmother would knit sweaters for her large family, and Robertson’s father, a postman, made birdhouses.

Neither of them, Robertson says, would have labelled themselves creative types, nor did they publicly exhibit their work. But what if there had been a forum for them to do so?

Artist Nicole Robertson next to the Reservoir Little Art Gallery that she founded, with one of her linocuts, front right.Credit: Penny Stephens

“We all have somebody in our life who tinkers at something, whether or not they consider it gallery-worthy,” said Robertson, who is now a Reservoir-based printmaker and illustrator.

To celebrate our often under-recognised backyard artists, Robertson created the Reservoir Little Art Gallery, a cabinet for art that was inspired by the now-ubiquitous Little Libraries for books.

In this case, anyone can donate a small (up to 30 centimetres high) artwork, or they can take one for free. The fridge-sized outdoor gallery – part of the City of Darebin’s FUSE arts festival – will stand until September 17 in a parklet at the corner of Cheddar Road and Broadway in the centre of Reservoir, in Melbourne’s north.

By noon on its first day, Sunday, a wooden fish carved by 86-year-old Les Demertzidis had been snapped up by a passer-by.

Les Demertzidis, of Reservoir, with some of his wooden carvings.Credit: Penny Stephens

Some of the other carvings by Demertzidis, a retired labourer and Greek immigrant, including walking sticks, birds and a Pontian lyra — a traditional instrument — will also feature in the gallery.

“It would have been one of his first hobbies when he retired,” said his proud daughter Sophie Demertzidis, of the carvings.

“I think nearly all of our relatives and friends would have at least one fish in their house. He would have made at least 100.”

Another “Rezza” resident, Sarah Hinds, loved seeing her floral embroidery being exhibited. She sees it as “an opportunity to put my work out there and see how it goes”.

Sarah Hinds with a floral embroidery that hung in the Reservoir Little Art Gallery on Sunday.Credit: Penny Stephens

Hinds, a keen watercolour painter who has a textile design degree, took up embroidery earlier this year as a mindfulness exercise.

Of the gallery, Hinds said: “I think in terms of a public art piece it’s quite innovative. I’m grateful that people will see my work, and to put something out there.”

The Life Force Bag, an upcycled piece made by Ava Lauren from Not Sew New.

Artists can leave their contact details with the pieces and it could bring the local arts community together, Hinds says.

“I’m at home doing my own work but to meet other artists and collaborate and network and to be aware of other artists doing work here, I think that’s very good,” she says.

Robertson, the curator, will display in the gallery her own satirical linocuts in which she sets ancient myths in Reservoir.

One piece shows a ship crew member from Homer’s The Odyssey eating kebabs from a street van.

Art galleries are thin on the ground in Reservoir, Robertson says, and those elsewhere in Melbourne are not always financially accessible or welcoming to artists.

“I don’t find that arts institutions are usually reflective of everyday creativity like that and can sometimes feel intimidating if you don’t come from a particular background,” she says.

“I’m interested in seeing what an art gallery would look like if everyone was allowed to participate.

“I really hope this project can be a celebration of the funny little things that people make in their spare time and maybe even make the arts feel more approachable for folks who might have felt left out.”

“I hope this provides some sort of infrastructure, at least for two weeks, for people to get their artwork out there.”

Pieces will be showcased on the gallery’s Instagram site, and in a public launch of five local murals at the Little Art Gallery on September 9 at 10am.

Robertson hopes that the wooden cabinet won’t be vandalised although “a bit of graffiti may enhance it”, she said.

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