New gallery adds to local art scene
REGIONAL pop-up art events, paintings with succulent surfaces, and an inaugural exhibition at a new venue hone creative focus, stimulate interest, and reassure patrons that the visual arts add a lively dimension to our local and regional community.
THE TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL ART GALLERY,
the University of Southern Queensland, Crows Nest Community Centre and the library in Oakey have played host to internationally renowned Danish artist Eva Koch as part of the Regional Arts Development Fund project, The Regions.
The program, managed by the Alexandra Lawson Gallery, shares contemporary art experiences with local and regional communities.
Koch is a sculptor and videographer who has represented her country in both the Venice Biennale and the Sydney Biennale.
Her works address aspects of history, memory, and experience that make universal and human statements.
The video, That Dream of Peace combines the slow motion opening of a red poppy with black and white footage of children in a playground.
The images are underpinned by the sound of children’s voices and the paper-like rustling of the unfolding flower.
Symbolism is by association as the viewer contemplates nature, remembrance, and hope for the future.
THE MET GALLERY,
on the village green at the Chocolate Cottage complex in Highfields, is featuring the encaustic work of Rosemary Williamson.
This ancient process, associated with the beautiful Faiyum mummy portraits of Roman occupied Egypt and explored centuries later by artists such Jasper Johns in America and Jenny Sages in Australia, uses beeswax to bind pigments.
The colours are muted and seem to float within the succulent, creamy surfaces.
Williamson has used the medium to incorporate collaged elements which add further to the surface texture in works such as Copper beech.
DUNMORE GALLERY,
a new and intimate venue at 33 Dunmore Street, is presenting Trashed, its inaugural exhibition for which artists were invited to use up-cycled materials to create new artworks that retain traces of their previous existences.
Works include a whimsical decoupage by gallery director Gerard Addison, plywood “landscapes” by Chelle McIntyre, and cork and metal wall works by Cindy Grimes.
Danish Quapoor’s Fine line between treasure and pain itemises superior junk while a face and an eye by Rhys Archer peer from a cardboard box and a beer bottle.
Natasha Wills has used old envelopes as the supports for a series bold graphics that salute popular culture, cartoon heroes, and music references.
Nerida Tupas has “revamped” old books as mounts for small portrait studies.
Dramatic colour, elaborate frames, and assemblages with a spray can and plastic fruit are a highlight of works by Jon Vargas who has also created a series of small tripod lamp-like sculptures.
Dunmore Gallery is a welcome addition to the local art scene.
The gallery is open Thursdays and Fridays, 10am-2pm and Saturday, 10am-4pm.