Optical Collusion

Donna and Chris at Ararat Regional Art Gallery










'Wheatstone Chamber' (2010)

We had the pleasure of welcoming Melbourne-based artists, Donna Kendrigan and Chris Henshke to Ararat for the official opening of their exhibition, 'Optical Collusion' on Saturday 8 october 2011 from 2pm. Donna and Chris provided an artists' talk about this intriguing exhibition of pre-cinema optical devices, reworked with post-cinema technologies.

Collaboratively developed by Chris and Donna, the exhibited works reflect both artists’ knowledge of and fascination with the scientific and aesthetic history of optical invention. These sculptural pieces contain digital media, including works funded by the Australia Council Visual Arts Board. Tricks of perception mediated by technology are not new - magic lanterns and stereoscopes were popular entertainments in the Enlightenment and Victorian eras. These hands-on, interactive artworks play upon our perceptions and the self imposed deceptions of contemporary media technologies.

Chris Henschke and Donna Kendrigan work under the name, Topologies, a name chosen by chance that describes their collaborative artworks and processes and is a manifestation of their combined creativity. For more information about the artists, visit the Topologies website. 'Optical Collusion' is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and the Community Support Fund, and has in-kind sponsorship from Global Bionic Optics Ltd who have created a ‘Once In A Generation Innovation’ – The Infinity LensTM range of products.

The Shilo project comes to Ararat

Ararat Regional Art Gallery launched its newest exhibition, 'The Shilo project', last Friday afternoon to an appreciative audience. 'The Shilo project' is a NETS Victoria touring exhibition developed by the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne, and is curated by its Director, Dr Chris McAuliffe.

An iconic album cover from the 1970s, Neil Diamond's 'Shilo' is the stmulus for this exhibition which explores the introcate relationship between pop music and contemporary art. The original album cover featured an innovative join-the-dot image of Neil Diamond, inviting fans to complete their own portrait. 100 leading contemporary artists were invited to respond to the artistic challenge posed by the do-it-yourself 'Shilo' album cover.

'The Shilo project' is fascinating both in terms of the surprising artistic responses that emerged from the chellenge, but also for its innovative and inclusive exhibition design. Vicitors to the exhibition can leaf through racks of Neil Diamond album covers as if they are visiting a record store. They can even pull up a bean bag, relax and play the 'Shilo' album on a record player as part of the exhibition experience.

We were very pleased to welcome the exhibition's curator, Dr Chris McAuliffe, to Ararat last Friday to speak about the ideas informing 'The Shilo project' and the process involved in developing this intriguing exhibition. Dr McAuliffe's talk was followed by an exhibition opening reception where people had a chance to view the exhibition and enjoy the 'Shilo' album. Local artists who contributed their own Shilo album covers to the Ararat presentation of the exhibition were also in attendance.

Ochre, bark, fibre, wood

Above: Guests at the opening; Below (l to r) Elizabeth Crauford, Ian Mitchell and Ted Lovett at the opening.

Last Thursday we were was pleased to open our latest exhibition, 'Ochre, bark, fibre, wood: The art of Arnhem Land from the collection of the Art Gallery of Ballarat'. The opening was well attended and guests had the opportunity preview the exhibition as well as hear opening remarks from indigenous Elder, Mr Ted Lovett, and Director of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Mr Gordon Morrison.

The exhibition is curated by Mr Morrison and is the first travelling survey of Ballarat's Arnhem Land collection since it was established in 2004. Mr Morrison gained a deeper appreciation of the art of Arnhem Land through a research trip funded by the Gordon Darling Foundation in May 2005, which enabled him to spend five days at Yirrkala and five days at Maningrida. Meeting artists and learning about the cultural context in which they created their work profoundly informed Mr Morrison's approach to establishing this new area of collection at Ballarat. Mr Morrison commented that, "although Arnhem Land is an integral part of Australia, travelling to this part of the Northern Territory can seem like travelling to another country. It is not just a matter of the physical remoteness of the region; this is a place where indigenous languages - and there are many of them - are still spoken and where age old customs, tribal law, ceremonies and art are still part of everyday life".

Bark paintings and fibre works rarely tour due to their fragility, so we are indeed fortunate that the Art Gallery of Ballarat has so generously shared its collection with us. The exhibition brings together exquisite bark paintings and majestic wood and fibre sculptures from 'the Top End'. It provides a rare opportunity for people to learn about the rich indigenous culture from this beautiful and remote part of Australia. The exhibition continues until Sunday 16 May.

Artists' Ink Opening

Above: (l to r) Cathy Hoffman, Textile Teacher, South West TAFE; Angie Taylor, Acting Curator, Warrnambool Art Gallery; Philippa Hynam, Front of House Coordinator, Warrnambool Art Gallery.













Above: (l to r) Anthony Camm, Director, Ararat Regional Art Gallery; Adam Harding, Director, Horsham Regional Art Gallery; Brenda O'Connor, Acting Director, Warrnambool Art Gallery. Photos: Peter Pickering

Our current exhibition, 'Artists' Ink: printmaking from the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection 1970-2001', was officially opened on Saturday 27 June at 2pm by Brenda O'Connor, Acting Director, Warrnambool Art Gallery. 'Artists' Ink' features 60 prints that track the rise of late 20th century printmaking in Australia. The exhibition features the work of independent specialist printmakers alongside notable artists who collaborated with master printmakers at the various print workshops that came of age during the 1970s and 1980s. The exhibition continues until 2 August 2009.

Viceregal Visit

Above: The Governor and Mrs de Kretser meeting exhibiting artist, Julie Shiels (left).

We were incredibly honoured to welcome The Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AC and Mrs Jan de Kretser to the Ararat Regional Art Gallery on 20 May 2009. Our exhibiting artists, Julie Shiels and Tamara Marwood, were introduced to the Governor and Mrs de Kretser and spoke to them about their respective exhibitions. There was a great moment when an unsuspecting young visitor and his dad were formally introduced to the Governor. It was a very exciting day for all associated with the Gallery.

Tamara and Julie's Exhibition Opening

Installation view of exhibitions: 'Flock' (above) & 'Handcrafted Landscape' (below). Photos by Peter Pickering.

We are currently presenting two very different, though subtly related exhibitions by Bendigo region artist, Tamara Marwood and St Kilda-based artist, Julie Shiels.

We had the great honour of welcoming Professor Lyndal Jones from the School of Creative Media, RMIT University and Director of The Avoca Project to open Tamara and Julie’s exhibitions last Saturday afternoon.