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As local award-winning artists Ken Griffiths and Karin Murphy Ellis face their toughest challenge, art and creativity remain a constant in their lives.
By Liane Arno
I FIRST met Karin Murphy Ellis when I was teaching students business studies at the Wonthaggi Campus. She was a flamboyant character who I soon learned was skilled in many art forms. A ballet dancer in her heart but too tall to make it professionally in that field, she became a theatre singer and dancer on such memorable sets as My Fair Lady, Godspell and Pippin. She ended up making costumes and sets, carrying her electric sewing machine wherever she toured.
I FIRST met Karin Murphy Ellis when I was teaching students business studies at the Wonthaggi Campus. She was a flamboyant character who I soon learned was skilled in many art forms. A ballet dancer in her heart but too tall to make it professionally in that field, she became a theatre singer and dancer on such memorable sets as My Fair Lady, Godspell and Pippin. She ended up making costumes and sets, carrying her electric sewing machine wherever she toured.
Visual Association: Works by Karin Murphy Ellis and Ken Griffiths. ArtSpace Wonthaggi. Open daily 11am-3pm.
After a long career she settled down in South Gippsland and opened a dance school in Meeniyan, using her theatre skills to create costumes, sets, lighting and original scenarios for productions for her students.
Works by Karin Murphy Ellis
Simultaneously working at Leongatha Secondary School as a teacher of performing arts, she met her now partner, Ken Griffiths, an artist himself. They headed to Queensland. After seven years away, they decided to return to Gippsland and bought the old State Mines Hotel in South Dudley, which had suffered badly from neglect. They spent many years restoring it into a rambling home, art studio and a teaching hub.
As we liked to encourage students in their businesses we headed over to art classes with Ken. At the same time Karin was experimenting with creating wearable art – both clothes and jewelry. Since then she has branched out into sculptural pieces and canvases.
At that time ArtSpace was in the early stages of its existence and Karin was a founder member and curator. With our business skills we were asked to come and advise.
And so began a friendship that has lasted for close to 25 years. It hasn’t always been a happy friendship (I will put it down to artist temperament!) but the thread, if sometimes frayed, has remained. Throughout this time we have seen both Karin and Ken win prizes for their art work and help other artists blossom.
At that time ArtSpace was in the early stages of its existence and Karin was a founder member and curator. With our business skills we were asked to come and advise.
And so began a friendship that has lasted for close to 25 years. It hasn’t always been a happy friendship (I will put it down to artist temperament!) but the thread, if sometimes frayed, has remained. Throughout this time we have seen both Karin and Ken win prizes for their art work and help other artists blossom.
Recent works by Ken Griffiths
Right now they face their biggest challenge. Just last year Karin was able to recognise the fact that Ken was experiencing a brain aneurism simply because her daughter had had one some years beforehand. After being airlifted to Melbourne Ken spent months in hospital undergoing surgery, treatments and rehabilitation.
He is home now but the road ahead is not clear. He is currently endeavoring to practise his art again but fears maybe the best of his work is behind him.
He is home now but the road ahead is not clear. He is currently endeavoring to practise his art again but fears maybe the best of his work is behind him.
Bearing up, thanks
Dec 10, 2020 - From an early age Karin Murphy Ellis displayed an aptitude for making things.
Dec 10, 2020 - From an early age Karin Murphy Ellis displayed an aptitude for making things.
All in good time
Jun 6, 2016 - The schoolboy Ken Griffiths took art because it was a bludge – then fell in love with it.
Jun 6, 2016 - The schoolboy Ken Griffiths took art because it was a bludge – then fell in love with it.
1 Comments
Karin and Ken are two incredibly creative and talented artists. Their stunning ‘Visual Associations’ Exhibition intrigues, beguiles and amuses. A must see!