HERE + Now, a new exhibition at Childers Art Space opening Saturday 2 December, highlights the recent work of 35 of the region’s talented creative artists.
Presented by Bundaberg Regional Galleries and guest curated by Shelley Pisani of The Ideas Distillery, HERE + now features artists who currently live and create in, or have a strong past affiliation with, the Bundaberg Region.
This was the third exhibition Shelley had been invited to curate with Bundaberg Regional Galleries, drawing on her 28 years of experience in the arts industry.
Shelley said the exhibition presented a challenge, as its focus was on what visual artists had been creating in the past year, rather than any given theme.
“Groups of the works selected still have common threads from exploring abstracts and being challenged by learning something new, to more identifiable ties to the environments we live in including the coast, rural living, natural landscapes and birdlife,” Shelley said.
“This exhibition includes new artists on the scene right through to long-term professional artists.
“It is important to acknowledge the breadth of skill in a region and show the community what artists are focusing on in their practice.”
Council’s Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Councillor John Learmonth said the exhibition was a great way to celebrate artistic expression and creativity in the community.
“Now in its fifth year, HERE + Now is a wonderful survey exhibition of the creative talents in the Bundaberg Region,” he said.
“This exhibition unites their diverse perspectives and styles to shine a spotlight on this vibrant regional arts scene.”
Visitors to the exhibition will gain valuable insights into what inspires the artists, with the visitor experience front of mind for Shelley when she was curating.
“It is a balance of respecting the storylines being put forward by the artists, the aesthetics of the works and how they sit together, as well as being aware of how audiences will walk through and experience the works,” she said.
“A great feature of the exhibition is a series of works by all three of the Sutton siblings – Chernee, Brooke and Jesse – who have soaring careers as First Nations artists living in our region.
“I hope that the exhibition provides visitors with an insight into the thinking and skills of our local artists.”
HERE + Now on display at Childers Arts Space 1 December 2023 – 4 February 2024.
The opening event will be held on Saturday 2 December from 3 pm.
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