Bronwyn Rodden -Artist and Writer
The Crossing Poetry Anthology: I'm very pleased that a poem of mine was selected for this year's Newcastle Poetry Prize Anthology (Australia). It is called 'Jumpers' but is not about knitting! I was inspired to write about people I have met over the years who have made difficult choices in complex lives. My style is deliberately uncomfortable, with uneven line and verse lengths, and I use various ways to focus on issues which are not straightforward. Here is a sample:
"Self-actualization is only good if the self creates enough excitement once
its actualized. What if it’s just ordinary? J moved to another floor about
a year ago, then changed jobs. She suicided last week, funeral’s tomorrow.
She leaves a young son and a husband, confused. Babies, those beautiful
perfect toys are popping out of young bellies into a world some parents
loathe, all over the place. Unfortunately, they grow into adults, not just
bigger babies, mostly."
I'm very pleased that a poem of mine was selected for this year's Newcastle Poetry Prize Anthology (Australia). It is called 'Jumpers' but is not about knitting! I was inspired to write about people I have met over the years who have made difficult choices in complex lives. My style is deliberately uncomfortable, with uneven line and verse lengths, and I use various ways to focus on issues which are not straightforward. Here is a sample:
"Self-actualization is only good if the self creates enough excitement once
its actualized. What if it’s just ordinary? J moved to another floor about
a year ago, then changed jobs. She suicided last week, funeral’s tomorrow.
She leaves a young son and a husband, confused. Babies, those beautiful
perfect toys are popping out of young bellies into a world some parents
loathe, all over the place. Unfortunately, they grow into adults, not just
bigger babies, mostly."
My Blue Mountains trilogy, The Crushers, Orphan Rock and The Weaver of Blackheath, was inspired by many visits and some time living in the Blue Mountains, at Katoomba, surrounded by World Heritage forest and Art Deco architecture. Some of the photographs I've taken from there are on this page: Blue Mountains Photos by Bronwyn Rodden.
For information about the books: Blue Mountains Mysteries
You can hear an interview about my work here: https://photovoltaicpoetry.com.au/https-photovoltaicpoetry-com-au-wyn-has-a-new-book-out/
2021 Winners Announced – Waverley Woollahra AS 9x5 Landscape Prize
First Prize: Bronwyn Rodden for The Forest at Dusk
Judges’ comments: The painting has a beautiful translucency and is inventive in its composition. A wonderful design and control of colour, giving great creation of depth on a small scale. Delivered with bold and deliberate translucent brush strokes, it has an immediacy which is difficult to achieve on a small scale.
INSPIRATIONS
Post from 27 April: Today is my mother's birthday, although she passed away 40 years ago. She inspired my art but also my beliefs. When she discovered a book of Aboriginal stories, she made me take it to school and my teacher read some out to us. She also painted this work based on one of the stories. It would not be appropriate now, but in the 1960's, hers was a voice championing Aboriginal culture, and her work was hung in The Blake Art Competition.
Fiction
Winner of the Patricia Hackett Prize for short fiction, Finalist in the General Fiction category, Eric Hoffer Award (USA) and shortlisted for the Carmel Bird Short Fiction award, Bronwyn Rodden has published several novels and collections of short fiction.
Orphan Rock, the second in my Blue Mountains mysteries, has recently been launched. The story of how I started this series is available here: http://coffscoast.focusmag.com.au/bronwyn-rodden-winner-of-the-patricia-hackett-prize/
The Moon and the Sea
Recommended in the US Review of Books: "This genre-bending tale of pirates, treasure hunters, and adventure seekers spans generations and time periods, offering up a bounty of thrills along the way. " https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/The-Moon-and-the-Sea-by-Bronwyn-Rodden.html#.Xv6_PCgzbD4
Available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Sea-Bronwyn-Rodden/dp/1658366840
Tales for Dark Nights
Recommended, US Review of Books:
'A Writers Writer'
'A genre-bending tale of pirates, treasure hunters, and adventure seekers spans generations and time periods, offering up a bounty of thrills along the way.' US Review of Books
Book 1 in the Ros Gordon Mysteries Series, selected for Hachette Manuscript Retreat 2012
