We are back in lockdown here in Melbourne and after returning to what almost felt like normality recently, this one feels tough.
I particularly feel for those involved in the arts - events organisers and artists who have put so much passion, time and commitment into sharing their work with us, to bring our city back to life and celebrate our unique and diverse cultures.
I had unfortunately missed out on attending the exciting inaugural Melbourne Arts Festival Rising as my event tickets were for dates that fell after the lockdown commenced.
“RISING is a surge of art, music, performance and ceremony in the heart of Melbourne... In other words, it’s a new festival in Victoria’s cultural calendar. RISING will begin on the evening of the total lunar eclipse 26 May and run until 6 June 2021.”
The current COVID-19 update on the website includes this determined and uplifting statement from the Artistic Directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek:
FLESH AFTER FIFTY AT ABBOTSFORD CONVENT
7th March - 11th April
I did however manage to get to this one…
Mater, Sam Jinks
I was really inspired by this incredible exhibition in the unique space of the Magdalen Laundry in the Abbotsford Convent. I was drawn to it on both a personal level (as a woman over fifty) and in relation to its themes around portrayal of women and body positivity that are important to me in my own artwork.
Conceived by Professor Martha Hickey and Curated by Jane Scott, the exhibition included works by artists Penny Byrne, Maree Clarke, Megan Evans, Janina Green, Ponch Hawkes, Sam Jinks, Deborah Kelly, Niki Koutouziz, Hotham Street Ladies, Ruth Maddison, Patrick Pound, Cathy Staughton, Catherine Bell, Greg Taylor and Peter Wegner.
“We live in a society swamped with images, where high value is placed on physical appearance and an association between attractiveness and youth, particularly for women. This groundbreaking exhibition will explore and challenge negative stereotypes of aging while celebrating and promoting positive images of older women through art.”
Ponch Hawkes, 500 Strong
500 Strong (detail), Ponch Hawkes
500 Strong (detail), Ponch Hawkes
Artwork by Penny Byrne
The exhibition has now closed however you can still check it out online here: https://www.fleshafterfifty.com/
Red Gallery in Fitzroy North
Free Range,
Pamela Black
I feel so privileged to have been able to help artist Pamela Black set up her very inspiring exhibition “Free Range”
Pamela is a friend of one of my oldest friends in Australia, Fliss, and when I heard Fliss was driving down from the Blue Mountains, NSW with a trailer load of ceramic chickens on their way to a Melbourne art gallery to exhibit, my interest and curiosity was peaked!
I arrived at Red Gallery just as Fliss and Pamela were unwrapping each of the 350 chickens that make up this incredible installation that is inspired by the Terracotta Warriors.
I love this description of Pamela’s exhibition:
“Take one artist, some mud, some paint, and a sprinkle of alchemy. Isolate in an overgrown garden studio with a cat, 10 chooks, and a growing stack of art books. Simmer down until a quirky celebration of freedom, self expression, diversity and inclusion is unabashedly revealed. Serve hot with a splash of irreverence and a beak full of humour. Free range is a clucking good art experience!”