Magic art set for show
Artists set to display work at uni
FOLKLORE, fairytales and personal mythologies have brought together the creative expertise of two universities.
Magic that exists in everyday life is explored in the latest art exhibition co-curated by University of Southern Queensland Senior Lecturer in Visual Arts Beata Batorowicz and University of Sunshine Coast (USC) Art Gallery manager Megan Williams.
Dark Rituals and Magical Relics: From the little Art Spell Book opened at the USC Art Gallery last week and will tour nationally and internationally, supported by Australia Council for the Arts funding.
The exhibition features the work of artists including four USQ staff and students Beata Batorowicz, Margaret Baguley (School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education), and Doctor of Creative Arts students Linda Clark and Ellie Coleman.
They are joined by three international artists including Lisa Reihana (New Zealand), Amalie Atkins (Canada), and Susan Shantz (Canada). Ms Reihana was New Zealand’s representative at the 2017 Venice Biennale.
The exhibition explores the magic that exists in everyday life shared through each artist’s personal story.
Co-curator Dr Beata Batorowicz said the highly competitive Australia Council funding was an acknowledgement of the work being made by artists in regional Australia.
“The opportunity for the seven artists to present their work together is a significant and exciting opportunity. This funding also reinforces the quality of USQ’s programs with two regional Doctor of Creative Arts students included in an exhibition of such calibre,” she said.
Megan Williams said she was delighted to host the exhibition at USC Art Gallery.
“This project has presented a wonderful opportunity for regional universities to connect, collaborate and celebrate the work that is being made by women artists,” she said.
“It has been exciting to see how the exhibition has developed and each artist has taken such a unique perspective both in terms of their interpretation and approach.”