Tasmanian artist’s desperate call to save his paintings from bushfire threat

UPDATE: Less than a kilometre from the Huon Valley fire front, Judbury artist Anton Holzner needed a truck — and fast. Find out how close friends and strangers came to the rescue. WATCH THE VIDEO

UPDATE: A JUDBURY artist living less than 1km from the fire line feared that dozens of his canvases would be lost to flames, until a group of close friends and strangers called in to help.

As a bushfire burned not far up Bermuda Rd, 83-year-old Anton Holzner and three friends were met by a pair of men with a van which lugged the artist’s collection to a friend’s property.

The size of the canvasses meant that an enclosed removalists van or similar was needed to shift them and efforts to source one up until last night hadn’t been found.

Early on Wednesday Mr Holzner told the Mercury “If I lose them, it is a life’s work”.

But a call out by friends by phone and on social media tracked down a pair of unknown men who, Mr Holzner said, without their help, the prints would have been lost.

Among those helping Mr Holzner transport his canvases was David Fisher, who praised the work of those involved.

“It’s in these hard times that community spirit really comes out,” he said.

EARLIER: LESS than a kilometre from the fire front, Judbury artist Anton Holzner needs a truck — and fast.

As an out of control bushfire burns not far up Bermuda Rd, the 83-year-old and three friends are preparing to defend his home from the flames.

“We’re a bunch of people who stick together,” Mr Holzner explains.

Trees around the house have been freshly felled and hoses lie in readiness as firefighting helicopters fly overhead.

Judbury resident and noted artist Anton Holzner has more than 250 artworks that he cannot move without a covered truck. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

But it is his studio that is weighing most heavily on his mind. Nearly stacked inside are dozens of beautiful canvases, works of art representing decades of toil.

“I need a van, a big van,” Mr Holzner said. “If I can get a van we can put 40 or 50 in and get away. It is all I can think of.

Judbury resident and noted artist Anton Holzner has more than 250 artworks that he cannot move without a covered truck. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“For me, they are quite valuable. If I lose them, it is a life’s work.”

The size of the canvasses means that an enclosed removalists van or similar is needed to shift them. Efforts to source one to date have been to no avail.

Anyone with a van or covered truck who is able to help is urged to contact the Mercury office on 6230 0732.

Judbury resident and noted artist Anton Holzner has more than 250 artworks that he cannot move without a covered truck. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN