Ian Gentle The Found Line is published to coincide with The Gentle Project, a major public art initiative celebrating the life and work of the artist, Ian Gentle, who lived and worked in the Illawarra from 1986-2009. Now recognised as a significant Australian artist, Ian Gentle arrived to set up his studio in the old School of Arts building at Clifton NSW when the village was still a coal-mining community. The studio, located on a spectacular site beneath an escarpment, overlooking the ocean, had a lasting impact on all who visited. For young, aspiring artists, it was a place of inspiration, a unique opportunity to observe a working artist at close quarters. Gentle was unconventional in his approach and methodology both as artist and as an educator. He instilled in his students a deep love of art and culture. Many of them went on to become successful artists in their own right, whose work can be found in public and private collections nationally and internationally. Others became lecturers, gallery directors and curators who are now working at the highest levels in state and national institutions Ian Gentle The Found Line is a cabinet of curiosities, bringing together images of Ian and his work as well stories from his students, fellow artists, friends and family. It paints a picture of a much-loved and most unusual man.