A visit to Queenscliff Gallery

Last Thursday, with a week-long lockdown looming in the state of Victoria, Shane and I decided to seize the moment and head for Queenscliff to see the Leigh Hobbs/Jim Pavlidis exhibition at Queenscliff Gallery. It was a delightful way to spend our last day of freedom (at least, for the next seven days). The show is superb, a real balm for the soul, and the works of the two artists, who are longtime friends, complement each other beautifully. For a virtual tour of the exhibition, go HERE.

Four of my homo-insecta watercolours, pictured above and below, are on display on the mezzanine level of the gallery. (A fifth watercolour, Ladybird Woman, had just flown away to be part of a private collection in Sydney). That’s Shane and I viewing the remaining works in the photo second from bottom below. (Photo credit: Theo Mantalvanos).

We were so completely engrossed with Leigh and Jim’s exhibition, I never got around to taking any installation views - aside from one particular work. I was especially drawn to the series of tower paintings that Leigh made specifically for the show. Shane and I were privileged to see them in various stages of progress during visits to Leigh’s studio, so I was already familiar with the paintings. In fact, for reasons that are too layered and complex to go into here, several of them have taken on a deep personal significance. If I were to summarise their meaning for me in only one word, however, it would be ‘resilience’.

Initially I thought every work I had my heart set on had sold. There was one notable exception: Spiral Tower (oil on canvas board, 20.3 x 15.2 cm) pictured below. For reasons I still can’t fathom, it wasn’t on my initial shortlist, even though it’s linked closely to the other paintings that spoke so profoundly to me. Now it feels as if I was fated to have this work and can’t wait to bring it home. I’ve since spoken to Leigh, who tells me it’s the last tower painting he made and that it sums up all that he was aiming to express in this series; he added that it’s his personal favourite. It’s mine too.

Many thanks to Theo Mantalvanos, Queenscliff Gallery Co-Director, for your warm welcome. I’m very much looking forward to showing with you and Soula in late September!

The Hobbs/Pavlidis exhibition was originally scheduled to finish tomorrow, 31 May, which of course runs into the 7-day circuit breaker. However, in recent good news, a special encore presentation of the show will be held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, 12 - 14 June. 

Meanwhile, although the gallery is currently closed, the works of all QG’s represented and guest artists can be viewed 24/7 by clicking HERE. 

WONDERMENT: last weeks

My Homo-insecta watercolours have been keeping great company in the Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop summer exhibition, Wonderment. (Other featured artists are Antonio Balletta, Christine Gibson, Lizzie Horne, Hyun Ju Kim, Michael Leunig, Soula Mantalvanos, David Moore, Geoffrey Ricardo, John Ryrie and Lucinda Tanner).  

Above left: Chrysochroa buqueti beetle woman

Chrysochroa buqueti beetle woman (detail 1)

Chrysochroa buqueti beetle woman (detail 2)

There’s not much time left to catch Wonderment before it finishes its long run on 23 February 2020, so do go along and see it if you can.

I’ll be sad when it’s over, but the way the year is starting to accelerate, Animalia paradoxa, my solo show at QG&W in November 2020, which I’m very excited about, will be up and running before I know it. (More about that in future posts).

A big thank you to Soula Mantalvanos of QG&W for the installation views and details of my work.

https://qgw.com.au/wonderment

Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop (QG&W)

P 03 4202 0942 M 0438 866 068 A 81 Hesse Street Queenscliff VIC 3225 

WONDERMENT launch

 Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop

Featured here are selected pictorial highlights of the official opening of WONDERMENT at Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop last Sunday afternoon, December 1.

The exhibition showcases works by Antonio Balletta, Christine Gibson, Lizzie Horne, Hyun Ju Kim, myself, Michael Leunig, Soula Mantalvanos, David Moore, Geoffrey Ricardo, John Ryrie and Lucinda Tanner.

Welcome to WONDERMENT

My Homo insecta watercolours

Pictured with a selection of my watercolours. Photo credit: Shane Jones

Works by Soula Mantalvanos

A wall of works by Soula Mantalvanos

Shane Jones and Soula Mantalvanos with paintings by Michael Leunig

L-R: Shane Jones and John Ryrie discuss John's work. The four works to the right of the window are by Christine Gibson

A selection of works on paper by John Ryrie

The gallery's new racks currently feature additional works by WONDERMENT artists

Works by Hyun Ju Kim

Michael Leunig's works

L-R: works by Antonio Balletta, David Moore and Geoffrey Ricardo

L-R: Soula Mantalvanos and myself. Photo credit: Shane Jones

Theo Mantalvanos with works by David Moore (left) and Christine Gibson (right)

Centre, L-R: Soula Mantalvanos with Susan and Antonio Balletta

Geoffrey Ricardo (background, second from right) and Shane Jones (right)

It was great to finally meet Antonio and Susan Balletta and to catch up with Geoffrey Ricardo and the multi-talented John Ryrie. John's guitar accompaniment to the event was a joy.

John Ryrie on guitar. Backing him (L-R) are works by Christine Gibson and two of his own.

WONDERMENT is the gallery's summer exhibition; it runs to February 24. Warmest thanks to Theo and Soula Mantalvanos for inviting me to be part of it.

Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop
Phone: 03 4202 0942
Mobile: 0438 866 068
Address: 81 Hesse Street Queenscliff VIC 3225

An invitation to WONDERMENT

Please find attached your very own invitation to Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop’s summer exhibition, WONDERMENT. Pictured: Splendid emerald wasp woman' (detail).

Exhibiting artists: Antonio Balletta, Christine Gibson, Lizzie Horne, Hyun Ju Kim, Deborah Klein, Michael Leunig, Soula Mantalvanos, David Moore, Geoffrey Ricardo, John Ryrie and Lucinda Tanner. 

EXHIBITION DATES: Nov 29 — Feb 24

OFFICIAL OPENING: Dec 1 from 3pm 

We do hope you can join us, either at the opening or during the exhibition's run. 

To learn more about WONDERMENT, go HERE.

AMONGST US Opening Event

Before the week runs away entirely, here are handful of highlights from last Saturday’s memorable opening of AMONGST US, an exhibition of figurative works on paper by Rachel Derum, Philip Faulks, Rona Green, Greg Harrison, Bill Hay and Deborah Klein at The Art Vault, Mildura.

That's me above with a selection of my Homo-insecta watercolours, snapped by Rachel Derum prior to our artist talk with Philip Faulks.

An installation view of all six watercolours is directly below:

Below, L-R: Julie Chambers, Director of the Art Vault, Philip, myself and Rachel present our talk in front of works by Philip Faulks. 

Following view, L-R: Philip, myself and Rachel with a selection of works by exhibition curator, Rona Green. (Photo credit for images 3 & 4: Shane Jones).

Thanks so much to Julie and Kevin, the peerless Art Vault team and everyone who came. We had an absolute ball and can’t wait to return.

AMONGST US

The Art Vault 

43 Deakin Avenue

Mildura VIC 3500

(03)5022 0013

www.theartvault.com.au

Opening hours: Monday 10 am - 2 pm; 

Wednesday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm; 

Saturday 10 am - 3 pm

The exhibition runs to 7 October 2019

A flying visit to The Art Vault

Chrysochroa buqueti beetle woman, 2014, watercolour, 41.91 x 29.72 cm,
one of six works I have in AMONGST US at The Art Vault

Pictured top: Chrysochroa buqueti beetle woman in flight for AMONGST US, a group show by Rona Green, Rachel Derum, Philip Faulks, Bill Hay and Deborah Klein. 

I’m pleased to announce that I'll soon be following suit. Originally I wasn't able to attend, but now look forward to joining fellow artists at the opening event.

AMONGST US

Saturday 21 September: informal artist talk at 2.30 pm, official launch from 3pm - 4pm

The Art Vault
43 Deakin Avenue
Mildura VIC 3500
(03)5022 0013
www.theartvault.com.au

Opening hours: Monday 10 am - 2 pm; Wednesday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm; Saturday 10 am - 3 pm

The exhibition runs from 18 September - 7 October 2019

An invitation to AMONGST US

Please find your special invitation to be amongst us, or rather, among my esteemed fellow artists and the fabulous Art Vault team, to toast the launch of AMONGST US. Sadly, I can’t attend, but six of my Homo-insecta watercolours will be there in my stead.

Saturday 21 September

Artist Talk: 2.30 pm

Official Opening: 3 - 4 pm 

The Art Vault 

43 Deakin Avenue

Mildura VIC 3500

(03)5022 0013

www.theartvault.com.au

Opening hours: Monday 10 am - 2 pm; 

Wednesday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm; 

Saturday 10 am - 3 pm

AMONGST US runs from 18 September - 7 October 2019

MY MONSTER: the catalogue

MY MONSTER: The Human-Animal Hybrid, published by RMIT University Gallery, Melbourne
Cover art: Kate Clark, Gallant, 2016 (detail)

Back in 2018, the merging of animals and humans into fantastical hybrid creatures was extensively explored in MY MONSTER: The Human-Animal Hybrid at RMIT University Gallery, Melbourne. Impeccably curated by Dr. Evelyn Tsitas, the exhibition ran from 29 June – 18 August.

Thanks to the recent publication of a handsome catalogue, comprising a foreword by Helen Rayment, Acting Director of RMIT Gallery, an insightful introduction by Professor Barbara Creed and an informative essay by Tsitas accompanied by exhaustive installation views, it’s now possible to revisit this remarkable show at will. 

Installation view of Ladybird Woman, 2014, watercolour, 41.91 x 29.72 cm, RMIT University Gallery, Melbourne, June 2018

Three of my watercolours, including Ladybird Woman (pictured above) were part of MY MONSTER.

To page through the e-catalogue, go here: https://rmitgallery.com/digital/my-monster-the-human-animal-hybrid-3/

DRAWING STRENGTH - final weeks

Pictured top: pages from a recent sketchbook with ideas for future works mapped out. The centre drawing is the basis for one of the paintings I’m working on at present.

Meanwhile, the sketchbook is currently part of DRAWING STRENGTH, a visionary show curated by Jo Lane that celebrates the art of drawing in its myriad shapes and forms.

Now in its final weeks, DRAWING STRENGTH can be seen at the Barn Gallery, Montsalvat until January 6, 2019. Afterwards, a stroll around Montsalvat’s magnificent grounds is also highly recommended, especially if you’re seeking respite from the Silly Season that’s currently upon us.

DRAWING STRENGTH

Shane Jones and I each have an artwork and sketchbook in the group show DRAWING STRENGTH in the Barn Gallery at Montsalvat Arts Centre. We’re delighted with curator Jo Lane’s placement of our drawings, in a charming alcove flanking an oversized fireplace. Despite being part of the main gallery, the area feels quite self-contained, as if we are in our very own room. My concertina format sketchbook sits in front of the fireplace. Shane’s book, opened in the view below to sketches of our cat Alice, is grouped with other sketchbooks at the opposite end of the gallery.

DRAWING STRENGTH runs from November 17, 2018 - January 6, 2019.

Drawing Strength at Montsalvat

Splendid emerald wasp woman, 2015, watercolour, 41.91 x 29.72 cm

My watercolour Splendid emerald wasp woman is part of the forthcoming show DRAWING STRENGTH at the Barn Gallery, Montsalvat. Curated by Jo Lane, it celebrates the gloriously diverse art of drawing. The exhibition features works by Melbourne and international artists, including, in some instances, their sketchbooks. (My own sketchbook will be previewed here in the near future).

DRAWING STRENGTH runs from November 17, 2018 - January 6, 2019.

Opening event: Saturday November 17, 2 -4 pm

Artist Talk: December 1, 11 am

For further information, including a list of participating artists and gallery opening hours, see below. Click on the invitation for a clearer view.

PATTERNS OF COLLECTING at The Johnston Collection: Final Walk-and-Talk

Pictured above and below are two works from a series of watercolour miniatures made especially for PATTERNS OF COLLECTING/From the Bower at The Johnston Collection.

To learn about these and other works in the show, join me and fellow Bower artist Louise Saxton at The Johnston Collection Museum for an informal walk-and-talk, tomorrow, 13 September from 10 - 11.30 am. Bookings, which are essential, can be made through The Johnston Collection HERE.

This will be the last special Bower Event before the show ends on 18 September.

Photos by Tim Gresham.