Collaborating
Robert Hannaford AM & Alison Mitchell Hannaford
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Collaborating with Alison, Robert Hannaford 2021
“A mutual dedication to drawing and painting from life has been central to our relationship from the beginning. I remember seeing her work exhibited at Greenhill gallery in the early 90’s.  I thought her painting was wonderful and bought one. We have been on many painting trips together, station wagon trips to the Flinders, Tasmania, New Zealand and interstate – plus three overseas trips. At home we paint together too.  Well not exactly together, we have separate studios, but we invite each other into our studios to discuss our work. These discussions are always stimulating… she is honest and fearless in her assessment of my work. There is no one whose judgment of my work I appreciate more than Alison’s.

Collaborating with Robert, Alison Mitchell Hannaford 2021
“I think that the constraints of Covid19 last year pinpointed the strengths of our working relationship.  We were both focused on separate projects, in rural isolation, totally immersed and concentrating on our individual vision. Full days in the studios. Necessarily we’d stop for coffee breaks (usually Robert makes the coffee) and it was (as it’s always been) a pleasure to chat, reflect, discuss whatever came to mind and sometimes cast a fresh critical eye over each other’s work.

We come from the same place in many ways: a reverence for nature, for the native bush, a respect for animals, good writing, enlivening ideas.  Sometimes that all gets lost in the hullaballoo of daily life, but I do feel we have a firm base of similar sensibilities and mutual respect.  I certainly respect his honesty, his integrity and his skill.”