 |
Lesley
Speed
(1948-2015) Retrospective Exhibition JBMM, Huskisson May-June 2016. |
| Introduction |
Thank you for
spending some time viewing Lesley's web page; like
all good web pages, a work in progress.
In the next twelve months we intend to significantly add to the content, especially in preparing a gallery of Lesley's art.
Almost all her work from 19?? to 2014 has been sold or gifted and, at present, we have only a vague idea of their current ownership and location.
If you own a piece of Lesley's art, we would greatly appreciate a scan or photograph, if possible with the acquisition details and date, for inclusion on the site.
The page also includes a collection of some photographs of Lesley.
In adding to these we are starting near the beginning; the images are rarer and it is a window into that first half of Lesleys' life that pre-dates our arrival, and yet is not devoid of some adventure.
Lesley was also an accomplished photographer; her forte, portraiture.
We hold some blow-ups, numerous photo albums, boxes of prints, more boxes of negatives, and Hawking-knows-how-many images stored after the digital revolution.
Clearly, the vast majority of Lesley's photographs are of ourselves, and these will be generally avoided.
Apart from her immediate family, the current intention is to start by adding her portraits of those who attended her service, although we may inadvertently appear in some of these.
Lesley, like ourselves, was accomplished on several musical instruments and by the tender age of 36 she had mastered the phonograph (at three speeds), the eight-track, the audio-cassette and the compact disc. In the 21st century, she would add the iPod to the list and her entire collection of audio recordings is substantial.
Music was a necessary and integral part of Lesley's memorial service.
Lizzie and James Cater
Please email contributions to geoff@surfresearch.com.au
In the next twelve months we intend to significantly add to the content, especially in preparing a gallery of Lesley's art.
Almost all her work from 19?? to 2014 has been sold or gifted and, at present, we have only a vague idea of their current ownership and location.
If you own a piece of Lesley's art, we would greatly appreciate a scan or photograph, if possible with the acquisition details and date, for inclusion on the site.
The page also includes a collection of some photographs of Lesley.
In adding to these we are starting near the beginning; the images are rarer and it is a window into that first half of Lesleys' life that pre-dates our arrival, and yet is not devoid of some adventure.
Lesley was also an accomplished photographer; her forte, portraiture.
We hold some blow-ups, numerous photo albums, boxes of prints, more boxes of negatives, and Hawking-knows-how-many images stored after the digital revolution.
Clearly, the vast majority of Lesley's photographs are of ourselves, and these will be generally avoided.
Apart from her immediate family, the current intention is to start by adding her portraits of those who attended her service, although we may inadvertently appear in some of these.
Lesley, like ourselves, was accomplished on several musical instruments and by the tender age of 36 she had mastered the phonograph (at three speeds), the eight-track, the audio-cassette and the compact disc. In the 21st century, she would add the iPod to the list and her entire collection of audio recordings is substantial.
Music was a necessary and integral part of Lesley's memorial service.
Lizzie and James Cater
Please email contributions to geoff@surfresearch.com.au
| Art+ |  |
 Nudes, Sketch Book:
1995-1996.
Pencil on paper. |
 Swimming Pool, Sketch Book: 1995-1996. Pencil on paper. |
 Lighthouse, Byron Bay,
Sketch Book: 1995-1996.
Pencil on paper. |
 Pelicans, Sketch Book:
1995-1996.
Pencil on paper.
|
 Interior, The Dairy, Bamarang, Sketch Book: 1995-1996. Pencil, Crayon on paper. |
 Landscape, Sketch Book:
1995-1996.
Crayon on paper.
|
 Darcy, 2007.
Pastel on paper. |
 Sashi, 2007. Pastel on paper. |
 Maiko
and
cat,
2007.
Oil on canvas |
|
 Self Portrait , 2010.
Ink on paper. |
|
|
Lizzie &
Greedy: Put me down #4 ,
2007.
Oil on canvas. |
 Red Ball,
2014.
Oil on canvas, Lizzie Cater Collection. |
 Starry,
Starry Night [detail],
2013.
Oil on canvas |
 :Flowers, 2011.
Oil on board, Rhonda Silver Collection. |
 Maiko, Sashi
and Chicken, 2008.
Oil on canvas, Lizzie Cater Collection. |
|
 Beach #1, 2013.
Oil on canvas, Seechange, 201? |
Siski and
Sabaka, 2014.
Oil on canvas, Ian Morris Collection. |
 PMT, 2009.
Collograph Plate |
 Stretch, 2009.
Collograph Plate |
 Twins , 2009.
Collograph Plate |
 Horses, 2009.
Collograph Plate |
 Apple, Book,
Towel, 2014.
Oil on canvas, Libby D (?) Collection. |
 Tara in Repose, 2013.
Oil on canvas, Seechange 2013? |
 Sleep, 2014.
Oil on canvas, Peri Wilson Collection. |
 Under the Sun
#2, 2015.
Oil on canvas. |
 Kerry and
Katerina, 2014.
Oil on paper, Family Members Exhibition. |
 Back To Front
#1,
2014.
Oil on canvas, Dorothy Curnow Collection. |
 |
 Kerry and the
Cup,
2013.
Oil on board/paper, 3@Supply, 2014. |
 The Couch, 2003.
Pastel on paper. |
|
 Dog and Ball, 2015.
Oil on board. |
 Sheep Dog with
Chickens, 2015.
Oil on board. |
 Man, Dog, Wall, 2015.
Oil on board, Coralyn Treasure Collection |
 Self portrait , 2014.
Digitally enhanced, Ink on paper. |
 Curl, 2015.
Lino Cut
Print.
|
 Dora, 2015.
Lino Cut
Print.
|
 Itch, 2015.
Lino Cut
Print.
|
Bomaderry High School Rock Eisteddfod Sets : 1998- 2007.
 Picture of
Dorian Gray #1, 1999.
|
 Picture of Dorian Gray #3, 1999. |
 Willow Pattern
Plate #1, 2000. (1st Place)
|
Willow Pattern
Plate #2, 2000.
|
Exhibitions
| Nowra
TAFE Studio Ceramics 1992-1993 Visual Arts, 1997-2007 Red Cross Exhibition With Cheryl Scowen and Linda Dening. Shoalhaven City Arts Centre, 2009. See Change Festivals Fast Fish Lesley Speed and Mirra Whale Cafe Motza, Owen Street Huskisson, May 2006. 3@Supply Robbie Collins, Lesley Speed & Helen Nugent. Supply Café, Owen St Huskisson, May 2014. I’ve been drawing and painting for many years and exhibiting for 15 years. My work is figurative and my favourite genre is the figure, either two legged or four legged. I’ve been told my“characters” elicit empathy in the viewer. And I like the use of strong colour and exaggerated forms. |
 |
Family Members (solo)
Supply Cafe, Huskisson, May 2014.
| Photography |  |
 Lizzie and Coralyn
Treasure, Nowra, November 1984.
|
 Lizzie and Jenny Blackmore, Bolong, Decenber 1984. |
 David, Daniel and Lizzie, SH, November 1985.
|
 Lizzie and Ted, Nowra, November 1985.
|
 Lizzie, Osborne St, June 1987. |
 Lizzie and Trisha, Steve and xx De Ros, Winter 1987.
|
|
Lizzie and Greedy, Bolong, June 1988.
|
|
 Lizzie, Nan Marr and Matt
Nicholson, SH, June 1988.
Right: Emma Hewlett and Lizzie, Nowra, 1988. |
 |
 Polly and Adam Boyd , Melbourne, 1998.
|
|
 Peri Wilson, Mrs.
Macquarie's Chair, September 1999.
Right: Peri, Many, Sarah, Madge Watts and Sam Wilson, 1999. |
 |
 James and Lizzie,
Camberwarra, Summer 1996.
|
 Lizzie, Lauren Hendry-Parsons, Ellen Christian-Warnock, 2002. |
 Rooster and Hen, Summer 2011.
|
| Lesley (1948-2015) |
A Chronology
16th January 1948 - 4th June 2007.
Born Lesley Hewlett, Nowra 16th January 1948
Nowra Primary School, 196_
Annersley School, Bowral, 1963-1964
SCEGGS Moss Vale Leaving Certificate, 1965
Dental nurse, Sullivan’s Dental Surgery, Nowra, 1966-1969
Hostess (along with Dian Schreiber, Gillian Ollerenshaw, Kerry Male), National Heart Appeal, Nowra R.S.L. Hall early 1969
Departs from Sydney with Sue Bishop on S.S. Australis June 1969
Europe 1969-1970
(Rolling Stones at Hyde Park ?)
Isle of Wright, 1969
Spain, France, England, Germany, Israel, Scandinavia.
Married Trevor, Nowra, 1971.
Speeds Health Foods (with Trevor), Nowra 1976-1981.
Bamarrang
Hewlett’s Record Bar, 1983-2002.
Lesley was an excellent seamstress, particularly in the case of dressing the children and between 1984 and 2007 she worked variously for a mattress company at Shoalhaven Heads, HMAS Albatross Nowra, South Coast Canvas (Bomaderry) and Lyrebird Drycleaners, Nowra.
Her volunteer work included positions at Nowra Family Support Nowra, Shoalhaven Satellite Autistic School and the SHOOSH Kids Club, Shoalhaven Heads and a huge contribution to the children's education with involvement with school plays, school concerts, fairs, and particularly Southern Stars at Shoalhaven Heads Primary and Rock Eisteddfod at Bomaderry High School (1999-2007).
Lesley's finest accomplishments were her children, Lizzie born in September 1984 and James in August 1991.
Art Courses
Studio Ceramics(part-time) Nowra TAFE 1992-1993
Visual Arts(part-time) Nowra TAFE, 1997-2007
Bundanon Artist-in-residence, September 2003
Artist Statements
Pairs, couples. (2008?)
I chose couples for my theme work because I like the compositional idea of parrs of things and the possible dynamic tension created by posture, position (positive and negative space) colour and application of medium - all those elements creating atmosphere and relating a story to the viewer. This includes animate and inanimate objects - animals people, fruit teapots, dogs, etc.
I have been looking at other artists' work for inspiration and found joy Hester's "Lovers" - a series of brush and ink paintings. These works are very economically executed - minimal brush strokes, small tonal and colour range - but the postures and expressions are powerful and dramatic. I would be happy working towards such simplicity of line and colour to convey a vigorous and potent meaning.
I also admire Garry Shead's work for his use of colour and his quirky tongue-in-cheek approach to his subjects.
My main aim is to use fairly boisterous colour, and sometimes patterning so \ can place colours alongside each to get a zinging affect. And my theme, though not a very profound was chosen to allow me to explore compositional possibilities.
The media used in my works were pastels and charcoal.
Chickens. (2013?)
I find chickens endlessly fascinating so I chose them as a theme for my series, trying to capture their inner zen.
To quote from a recently read book "Still Life with Chickens":
"Although they are busy they are not in a hurry. They are funny although they have no sense of humour. Like members of a monastery, deliberate, but also random, like idiots."
And so to me they seem like a collection of antitheses, like sheep in wolves clothing. So I tried making them look seriously funny and monastically random and busy not doing much.
I used oil paint for the first time and really enjoyed the oiliness and the smell of gum turps.
Although I pored over books and wanted to emulate artists like Chagall and Joy Hester and Milton Avery I don't think I succeeded but it filled me with a zen-like craving to get started on my "journey'\" and climb every mountain.
2015
I have been drawing and painting since I can remember and as an artist I have been exhibiting for over 15 years. I was born on the South Coast and have lived and worked here most of my life, drawing on my experiences and relationships in this area to feed my practice.
My favourite genre is the figure, either two legged or four legged. I energise my subjects using expressionistic devices of movement, strong colour and exaggerated form. I aim to convey a connection between the viewer and subject matter by portraying the familiar and universal whilst paying homage to the specific personalities of the figures I paint.
I studied visual art at TAFE and have also completed several workshops with established Sydney artist and teacher Rodger Crawford. The artists that have had the most influence on me are Modigliani, Gauguin and Milton and Sally Avery.
|
Riversdale Friday 12th June 2015. |
 |
The Location
As Lesley's passing was unexpected, arrangements for the service were made under considerable pressure and guess-work, and interrupted by a three-day weekend.
The primary concern was to chose a suitable location, and from several possibilities the oustanding candidate was Riversdale, on the banks of the Shoalhaven River.
Lesley grew up in Nowra, on the southern banks of the Shoalhaven and was an accomplished water-skier on the river.
During the 1970s, she would live at Bamarang and regularly visited Riversale and Bundanon over the river where she became personally familiar with the Boyd artistic legacy.
In the 1980s she spent time at The Dairy at Bamarang and later lived at Bolong and Shoalhaven Heads on the northern banks of the river.
On the birth of her son in 1991, Lesley named him James Merric after Merric Boyd, the father of Studio pottery in Australia and Arthur Boyd.
In September 2003 she participated as a Bundanon Artist-in-residence at the Riversdale complex.
We would like to thank to Betty Cater for her assistance.
Notes from the Program (Sample playlist)
WILD HORSES
Lesley was born in Nowra in 1948, the youngest of four children.
Something of a black sheep, Lesley joked that her freckles and red hair proved she was adopted. Lesley loved horses and nagged her father to buy a bad tempered, and potentially homicidal pony as a birthday present one year.
Had it not been for her riding helmet, Scout probably would have ended her with a swift hoof to the head.
Lesley never told either of her parents, because doing so would likely result in Scout scouting out the glue factory.
THE ROCK N’ ROLL DOCTOR
Lesley transitioned from horses to rock music in adolescence.
At the forefront of taste, Lesley knew the hottest new tracks: Dylan, The Stones, The Beatles but also all the cult classics: B-52’s, Mental as Anything, Talking Heads, Little Feat…
Her father picked up on this, and to convince her to stay in Nowra he started stocking records in the sports shop.
It didn’t work.
She packed her suitcase with an impractically large record player and a case of LPs and left Sydney in 1968.
HANDLE ME WITH CARE
In her early 20’s Lesley embarked for the great unknown and began a love affair with travel.
She spent 18 months in Europe, where she narrowly avoided death at the hands of a psychopathic Frenchman, donated blood for money, slept in the back of an Austin, hitch-hiked hundreds of miles and begged her parents to send her more money so that she could extend her stay.
CREATURES OF LOVE
Lesley gave birth to Lizzie, in 1984.
Just as Lizzie thought she had gotten away with being an only child, Lesley sprang James on the family in 1991.
Lesley was an amazing mother.
She would bring hot chips to school to make the other kids jealous, stayed up all night sewing costumes for book parades, acted as a human alarm clock, worked extra hours cleaning houses to be able to afford a coverted ..
PAINT IT BLACK
Lesley Speed was an accomplished artist who had been exhibiting for over 15 years.
Her favourite subject was the figure, either four legged or two legged and she was heavily influenced by artists Modigliani, Gauguin and Milton and Sally Avery.
After her diagnosis, Lesley painted 12 hours a day before her final exhibition.
The Service
Running (or in case of scissors, walking) order:
Arrival
Little Feat: Rock N Roll Doctor.
Travelling Wilburys: Handle With Care.
Welcome by celebrant Karen Ambrose
Reflection
Bob Dylan: You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.
Body of service
Tom Petty: Won’t Back Down.
Eulogies:
Ian Morris
Mandy Wilson
Peter Hewlett
James and Lizzie Cater
The Rolling StoneS: Wild Horses.
Reading by celebrant
Farewell
Talking Heads: This Must Be The Place.
The Eulogies
Mandy Wilson's recollections and moving tribute is reproduced below.
I am deeply aware that everyone in this room has their own personal memory of Lesley. And whilst it's difficult to adequately capture and condense a life into a few minutes I would like to share some snapshots of the person I knew and loved.
Although Lesley and I grew up in relatively close proximity, we didn't meet until the early 70's when I began working in her families business. Many of you may remember Hewlett's Sports Store, an eclectic mix of sporting equipment, weaponry, lottery counter, tobacconist, men's hair salon and record bar. Lesley ran the record bar and as multi-tasking was a prerequisite, somewhat reluctantly attended the other areas.
I was not long out of school and to a nervous, awkward teenager, she was the spectacular epitome of cool.
She was travelled. Outspoken. Worldly.
Her stories were intoxicating and vibrant and extremely exciting.
Lesley looked and dressed like no one else, her manner and appearance uniquely her own. She smoked Gaulois with an almost European disregard for her surroundings. She was the first person I ever heard say Fuck in general conversation, and made it sound incredibly sophisticated. So she appraised me for a couple of days, tucked me under her wing, and that was that.
My life training began in the tobacco section. Which we diligently worked our way through, right down to chewing tobacco - even smoking pipes for awhile, like extras from Deliverance. My record collection grew exponentially, under her enthusiastic tutelage. There will always be bands that instantly make me think of Lesley.
Very early Rod Stewart, before he went glittery and was immediately shunned. Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Frank Zappa. Lead Belly. The Who. Anything at all by The Stones. Her excitement at the arrival of Sticky Fingers with an actual working zip on the cover was hysterical. We spent a lot of time in that shop, doubled over, weak with silent laughter, unable to make eye contact for fear of total hysteria.
We also spent a lot of time in her parents lounge room drinking nasty cask wine, having long rambling conversations about books, film, music and art, travel and how we planned to live our lives. We didn't always agree, but the conversations never ceased.
As we moved into our thirties, it became very clear that there were a few things Lesley was determined to see in her life.
She wanted to be an artist.
She wanted to have children.
And she wanted Mick Jagger to be their father.
Two out of three ain't bad.
These days her artworks hang in countless homes. Her work is deeply reflective of her totally unique, quirky personality. Gentle and humorous, immediately recognisable as hers and complex in their ability to communicate something of what it is to be human, with our strengths and frailties. Her renderings of dogs, cats and chickens are completely delightful and never fail to make me laugh. One of my favourites is a small pastel of a white dog, gazing up into a star scattered night sky. It is poignant, funny and very beautiful.
Our children grew up together with great hilarity, raucousness and a love of each other that remains to this day and brought enormous pleasure to both of us. Elizabeth and James - unquestionably - the loves of her life. She longed for you, and loved you without question or reserve. Lesley could be a little uncomfortable with displays of emotion, but not with you. She said to me not long ago, that even though the mother-fucker, as she called it, was stripping her relentlessly of her physical capacity, it had given her the gift of deep communication and connection with both of you, and she was actually thankful.
Your devotion to your Mother's care, your unquestioning commitment, the love and outrageous laughter you bought to her through her most difficult days is without doubt, the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed, and I stand in awe of you both. You were the joy of her life and you mirrored it back to her.
Peter, Michelle, Michael, Bill, Ian and your families, my deepest, deepest condolences to you all.
As for me, I never imagined a world without her in it and the space she has left is huge and cavernous.
She was not afraid of much, certainly not death, but she was unsettled by the thought of what was coming and I am happy beyond measure she was spared that awful end.
Lesley Hewlett Speed, the coolest girl in town. From me to you, my lovely friend, there's this:
At hour of noon, when, with our limbs outspread lazily in the whispering grass, we lie to gaze out fully upon the windy sky, far, far away, and kindly, friend to friend, to talk the old old talk, that has no end. Roaming, without a name, without a chart, the unknown garden of another's heart.
- Thank you.
(Mandy Wilson, 12th June 2015.)
- C.S. Lewis: In memory of Arthur Greeves,1917.
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| The Music [Notes by Geoff] As music was such a huge part of Lelsley's life, the choice of five of six recordings was likely to be highly problematic, if only for the huge number of possible candidates. As could be expected, there were technical difficulties and malfunctions with the music and the associated slide-show. As six Rolling Stones' songs were considered (by some) as excessive, some of Lesley’s other favoured artists were listed (in no particular order): Tom Petty, Little Feat, Talking Heads, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Mental as Anything, Black Sorrows, and Bob Dylan. It was felt that, ideally, the selections should be short (about 2.5 min), not abbreviated or truncated, clean studio recordings, and the lyrics should, in some sense, reflect the occasion (thus ruling out Sympathy for the Devil). |
 |
| Early
Stones: Come
On
(Chuck Berry)
or Not
Fade Away
(Buddy Holly). These was rightfully superceded by Paint It Black. Mid-Stones: Wild Horses. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: I Won’t Back Down. Little Feat: Rock'n'Roll Doctor or Willin’ (Willin' was known to be one Lesley’s favourite songs, particularly the live version on Electrif Lycanthrope.) Talking Heads: Anything from the Little Creatures album, the prime candiates Creatures of Love or Road to Nowhere, but eventually This Must Be The Place from Speaking in Tongues was selected. Bruce Springsteen: Hungry Heart. Travelling Wilburys: Handle With Care. Eric Clapton: Layla (1972), the instrumental out-tro. Bob Dylan: You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go, I Threw It All away, Every Grain of Sand. |
 |
| Some Reflections As might be expected, there were technical difficulties and malfunctions with the music and the associated slide-show. In comparing and assessing the various tracks, the material available in Lesley's collection was extensive and included a contemporary release of the previously noted Electrif Lycanthrope by Little Feat. This is acknowledged as the best recording by Little Feat, probably the most underrated band in the history of rock music. |
 |
| Regrettably,
one highly suitable Rolling Stones' track did
not appear for consideration; Gimme Shelter
from the essential Let It Bleed. This was because there was no copy in either Lesley's or my own collection. This inexcusable parental error has since been rectified by James. Incidentally, the track features vocals by Merry Clayton, sister of Sam Clayton, the percussionist in Little Feat. Given an interest in the recordings of Bob Dylan, I was always over-awed that Lesley attended the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1969 with performances by The Who, Free, Joe Cocker, the Bonzo Dog Band, The Moody Blues, and Dylan and The Band. I was familiar with the four tracks released on Self-Portrait, but when I asked about the concert she, like all those who really were there in the sixties, claimed that she could not remember a thing. The seventeen tracks were recently released as one of the Bootleg series; the recordings demonstrating that Lennon's response was probably somewhat harsh. Recorded only days after the Woodstock Festival, although the set list draws broadly from all but the first two Dylan albums, there are no demonstrative political or protest songs. The solo performance of Wild Mountain Thyme (track 4) is outstanding. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight_Festival_1969 |
 |
To accompany the musicians, James prepared, at very short notice, a slide-show.
The images were those prepared for the web page and they appear in the galleries above.
Our apologies for any malfunctions during the service.
| Thanks and Links |  |
We would
like to thank:
Ann McCutcheon and
the team at the MND Association NSW,Anna and the team at Home Care Services Illawarra,
Professor Dominic Rowe and Sandra Barisic,
The Palliative Care team at David Berry Hospital,
Sue Scott, and Betty Cater.
Motor Neurone Disease Australia
http://www.mndaust.asn.au/Home.aspx
Riversdale
170 Riversdale Road, Illaroo, NSW 2540
Turner Family Furnerals
http://turnerfamilyfunerals.com.au/
| Contact | Contributions
and comments are most welcome. Lizzie Cater lizziecater@yahoo.com James Cater jcaites@gmail.com |