Merideth McLeod
/Jugglers Art Space
A Reflection
I first met Peter Breen not long after I moved to Brisbane in 2000. My first Brisbane exhibition Androids Do Dream of Electric Sheep ii (neon, screen prints and paintings) was held in 2001 at Cafe Jugglers in a church hall situated on the Northside of Brisbane. Due to family, work and study commitments it was a number of years before I could rekindle my association with Jugglers. Eventually I was able to attend the weekly life drawing group run by Nic Plowman and later Aaron Micallef. Life drawing became the highlight of my week for many years…serious drawing with wonderful models, great discussions and at times much humour. So many wonderful memories, networks and friendships that will stay with me forever were forged on these nights. This involvement with Jugglers led to participation in many exhibitions including annual life drawing exhibitions, Jugglers group exhibitions and a solo Exhibition in 2016, Helmer’s Tragedy. In 2015 I was a finalist in The Marie Ellis Drawing Award. These events were all extremely significant in my personal art journey and will fondly be remembered forever.
Jugglers was a vibrant, active hub and I was always blown away by the philosophies and directions within which the environment moved under the caring, visionary perspectives provided by Peter Breen. The nurture provided to young people with a diversity of backgrounds was exemplary as was the amazing graffiti produced on everything from the walls to the garbage bins. I still miss the smell of spray paint and walking in to the space to discover new and often brilliant images in the making. I remember the ‘excitement’ when the back wall fell apart revealing the multiple layers of paint and imagery. I now have a very special framed piece of the graffiti wall that reminds me regularly of the extraordinary times and memories of Jugglers that will never leave me.
A very special congratulation to Peter Breen, his family and members of the board for everything that was Jugglers.
Meredeth mcleod - “Helmer’s tragedy” at jugglers art space
“Helmer’s tragedy” jugglers art space
out the back of jugglers - an opening night event
“Androids do dream of electric sheep “ MEredith mcloud 1998 everton hills