This exhibition spotlights Arts Centre Melbourne's nationally
significant art collection. The creative intersections between contemporary art
and performance are explored in recent works of art inspired by dance, music,
opera, theatre and circus. Artists include: Charles Blackman, Inge King, Colin
Lanceley, John Olsen, Jon Campbell, Robert Jacks, Vernon Ah Kee, Robert Owen,
Wendy Sharpe, Charles Blackman, Inge King, Colin Lanceley, John Olsen and many others.
The exhibition also showcases some of the portraits and
personalities represented in Arts Centre Melbourne’s collections. Celebrated
performers include opera diva, Dame Nellie Melba; visionary ballet founder,
Edouard Borovansky, and dancer, Marilyn Jones; theatrical maestro, Barry
Humphries; and singer-songwriter, Nick Cave.
My linocut See the Lady
Sawn in Half! shares a long wall - a kind of sideshow alley - with
some marvellous works by Fred Williams, Anne Zahalka, Polixeni Papapetrou - and,
to my immense delight, Australia's legendary illusionist The Great Levante.
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Deborah Klein, See
the Lady Sawn in Half! 1996, linocut, diptych: 61.5 x 44.5 cm (each panel)
and The Great Levante theatrical poster.
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Since my early childhood the performing arts in every shape and form have
been constant sources of inspiration; some of my heroes are represented in this show. Over the years I've been to countless productions at the Arts Centre (in fact, just last night Shane and I attended Victorian Opera's stunning production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods). I’ve also delighted in the many and varied exhibitions presented there. I’m still pinching myself in disbelief that my linocut is part
of this one. Never before has a work of mine seemed so completely at home.
SHOW TIME, Gallery 1, The Arts
Centre, St Kilda Road, Melbourne opened on 12 July and runs until 21 September.