Artist Katie Ravich opens exhibition of work based on her renowned cancer specialist dad’s love for his King Island resting place

SYDNEY artist Katie Ravich is paying tribute to her late father Bob’s love affair with the remote King Island in Bass Strait.

Cammeray artist and photographer Kate Ravich.

AFTER a demanding career as a cancer specialist at the Mater Hospital, Dr Bob Ravich sought out a quiet existence on King Island. And when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer himself, Dr Ravich asked to be buried there.

Now his artist daughter Katie Ravich of Cammeray is paying tribute to her father’s love affair with the remote island in Bass Strait.

Dr Ravich was buried on his beloved King Island.

She is presenting King Island Stories, showcasing her oil paintings and serving gourmet King Island produce at a one-off event at Cammeray this Sunday.

Money raised from the event will go to the King Island Cultural Centre.

SCULPTURES TO HAVE BRIDGE VIEWS

Dr Ravich, a Polish-born oncologist from Greenwich, retired at 70 and spent a lot of time on the island before his death in 2012 at 75.

“My father loved King Island,’’ said Ms Ravich.

“He loved the remoteness ... and the fact that he could just be himself there.”

One of Katie Ravich’s King Island oil paintings.

The late Dr Bob Ravich.

Ms Ravich described her father as “a deeply caring man who had quietly got things done”.

Ms Ravich was also captivated by King Island when she visited for her father’s burial service.

She and her father shared a love of photography and during her visit, Ms Ravich pointed her camera to the ground, drawn to the micro-landscapes of the island such as tangled seaweed at the shoreline.

ARTIST’S WALK OF HONOUR

The images inspired her to paint a series of oil paintings which will go on show at the King Island Stories event at The Public restaurant at Cammeray at 6.30pm this Sunday, August 14. The event will feature a menu highlighting King Island produce including their famous cheese and beef. Tickets: $62 Bookings: trybooking.com/202186

King Island’s Cape Wickham lighthouse.