Goya meets Todd

We were pleased to welcome the very charming Bianca Acimovic, Visual Arts Coordinator from Albury Art Gallery to Ararat Regional Art Gallery t on 9 October 2013. Bianca presented a floor talk about Francisco Goya's 'Los Caprichos' which is touring to Ararat from the AlburyCity collection. This exhibition features an early edition of 'Los Caprichos', a set of eighty-one etchings first published in 1799. It is one of the most influential series of graphic images in the history of Western Art. The arresting images in 'Los Caprichos' deal with such themes as the Spanish Inquisition, the corruption of the church and the nobility, witchcraft, child rearing, avarice, and the frivolity of young women. Its cast includes goblins, monks, aristocrats, prostitutes, and animals acting like human fools; these personages populate a world on the margins of reason, where no clear boundaries distinguish reality from fantasy.

Geoff Todd, 'The Goya Painting (2013), Acrylic & charcoal on canvas, 168cm x 214cm, Courtesy of the artist.

To coincide with and complement our presentation of the 'Los Caprichos' etchings, Ararat-based artist Geoff Todd was invited to respond to the exhibition which resulted in a major new painting which updates Goya's satirical vision of a corrupt society. Geoff’s new painting references Goya’s art and life as well as his own socially-engaged practice. Geoff presented an illustrated talk about his work and his affinity with Goya on 23 October at 6pm.

'Los Caprichos' and Geoff Todd's 'The Goya Painting' will be on show until 23 November 2013.