November 2001
Dear folks,
Found somewhere to hang my hat while on the search for the perfect coffee and...(nevermind). Notes from the road this month: Krakow...exhibition was a cracker. Nice little gallery in the Jewish quarter, gallerist happy with the reaction to a selection from my "Workers - Work in Progress" and a series from the "Tragedies" that was shown last year in Hungary. Tom Hensen (portrait in a recent PC) told me, in one of our long and lubricated late nite discourses, that an artist needs a real sense of history, and therefore a New Zealander will never be famous in Europe. Hmm...Well, been here for three and a half years now; seven exhibitions completed, five more nearing completion, and some very good reviews...so, I´m not complaining. Lots of locals have been at it much longer with less to show for it. I´m still not sure I´d recommend such an itinerant lifestyle, but there´s no lack of wonderful opportunities to really stretch oneself with, although I have to admit I miss the inspiration of the west coast beaches, Sam Hunt, and the good coffee at times. The deep and meaningful coffee story will have to wait...
Dean