A New Art Collaboration At Raes on Wategos

Creative People

Since undergoing a show-stopping renovation in 2017, Byron Bay boutique hotel Raes on Wategos has been a thriving hub of activity and culture – beach and otherwise! The latest addition to Raes’ offerings is an Artist in Residence program in partnership with Champagne House Perrier-Jouët, where the iconic beachside hotel will serve as both home and inspiration to a new artist, once a year.

We go inside the luxury boutique hotel and restaurant to see the very first works created as part of this program – heavenly pastel-hued paintings by French Australian artist Stanislas (Stan) Piechaczek.

18th July, 2019

French Australian artist Stanislas (Stan) Piechaczek is the first Artist in Residence at Raes on Wategos. Photo – Madeline Johnson.

Stan working on initial sketches to develop his Raes series. Photo – Madeline Johnson.

The work I have created during my stay was really experimental – a sort of preparation for what I would later paint back in my studio’, Stan says. Photo – Madeline Johnson.

Stan painted figures that he thought would be ‘fun’ to see at Raes (like a matador, for instance!). Photo – Madeline Johnson.

Stan drew on the natural palette of the Raes interiors and the spectacular Wategos beach surrounds, injecting bright colours for contrast. Photo – Madeline Johnson.

Stan’s residency will culminate in an exhibition of his works at Raes in August. Photo – Madeline Johnson.

Sally Tabart

Thursday 18th July 2019

‘The work I have created during my stay was really experimental’ – Stan Piechaczek.

If you’ve spent any time on Instagram in the past couple of years, chances are you’ve come across images of beachside boutique hotel and restaurant, Raes on Wategos. The legendary property underwent an out-of-this-world refurbishment by Tamsin Johnson in 2017, giving the already iconic establishment a fresh, new feel.

This year Raes has expanded their cultural offerings with the first annual Artist in Residence programme, in partnership with Champagne House Perrier-Jouët, designed to support like-minded artists and add meaningful works to the Raes Art Collection. ‘The program allows us to see the property through the eyes of this artist, in the form of their completed works,’ tells Raes’ General Manager Francesca Webster.

French-Australian painter Stanislas (Stan) Piechaczek is the recipient of the inaugural residency. Francesca first met Stan in 2018 after purchasing a piece of his work for the hotel’s reception area. ‘The response to the piece was so amazing, we knew we had to collaborate with him again’, tells Francesca. A personal follower of the hotel – he and his wife had previously stayed at Raes for their honeymoon – Stan was ‘chuffed’ by the opportunity to create works in response to the exquisite surrounds.

Stan and his family took up residence in the hotel in June, experiencing every exquisitely-designed room, and immersing themselves in the place, the people, and the unique ambience of Raes. ‘The work I created during my stay was really experimental’, Stan says of this exploratory time. Painting characters he thought were ‘fun to imagine at Raes’, like a matador for instance, Stan’s pastel-washed works take into consideration the soft, neutral colours of the interiors and furnishings, adding layers of depth and contrast.

Stan’s residency will culminate in a ticketed exhibition open to the public, where the finished works will be revealed for the very first time! Artworks will remain on show at Raes until sold, with one significant piece to be acquired by Raes’ Art Collection.

Tickets to opening exhibition event cost $70 per person and include canapes and a glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne on arrival. Email functions@raes.com.au to secure your spot!

Stan Piechaczek exhibition opening
Raes on Wategos 2019 Artist in Residence
Friday, August 2nd
6pm til late
Raes on Wategos
6-8 Marine Parade
Byron Bay, New South Wales