Recently as part of maintaining balance in my life I decided to go to the Revealing Identity: the Collections of La Trobe University exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Bendigo Art Gallery has had some amazing exhibitions and I’ve never been disappointed when I visit there. This exhibition was no exception.
Dr. Kent Wilson, Senior Curator at La Trobe Art Institute guided us through the artworks on display and gave us a rare insight into the way in which an exhibition is developed from conception to execution. Dr. Wilson explained how the exhibition came about and gave us an insight into the collections held by La Trobe University, how the art work was chosen as well as the exhibition design and importance of the collections for education and entertainment. One of life’s great pleasures for me is to listen to someone who is passionate about their work and Dr. Wilson certainly fell into that category.
Dr Kent explaining placement design
Chinese poster collection
I also took a wander through Rona Green’s Champagne Tastes and Lemonade Pockets which was also a delight.
Part of Rona Green’s Champagne Tastes Lemonade Pockets exhibition
Two exhibitions that I didn’t get to see were Bendigo Art Gallery and Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn Monroe and Maticevski’s Dark Wonderland.
I did however get to enjoy the brilliant 8 metre high Marilyn sculpture by artist Seward Johnson on loan to Bendigo from the USA while she graced our lovely Rosalind Park with her presence.
Some of the other Exhibitions I have been lucky enough to see in the past seven years were
Ron Mueck: Pregnant Woman
Ink Remix: contemporary art from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong
Genius and Ambition: The Royal Academy of Arts, London 1768 – 1918
Undressed: 350 years of underwear in fashion
The Body Beautiful in ancient Greece
I didn’t actually set out to go to the Body Beautiful exhibition. I’d enrolled in an Ekphrastic poetry workshop with Sarah Rice as part of the 2014 Bendigo Writers Festival and as part of that we visited the Bendigo Art Gallery to write poetry based on the sculptures in the exhibition. It was something completely new to me and I loved it, not only does it make you study the art but think about it in a creative way. I’ve tried to find the poems I wrote on that day but no luck. Hopefully they will turn up so I can post them. I had trouble writing about Discobulus and his beauty until a woman walked into the room who had difficulty walking and then I looked at him from her point of view and the words just flowed.
Leonard French (Australia 1928 – 2017)
Two artworks that knocked my socks off in two separate exhibitions were both by Leonard French (Australia 1928 – 2017) the first was “Journey of the Sun” painted in 1980 and the second which forms part of the Revealing Identity: the Collections of La Trobe University exhibition in seven panels was The Legend of Sinbad the Sailor painted in 1956.
Such big bold beautiful works of art. Just Stunning! I would have quite happily spent the whole day studying them. I hope I get to spend time with them again someday.
I’ve included a photo with my Mum in it for scale.
Detail of Leonard French’s Journey of the Sun 1980
Leonard French’s Journey of the Sun 1980
One of the panels of the Legend of Sinbad
Detail of The Legend of Sinbad
Leonard French’s The Legend of Sinbad 1956
Another wonderful experience I’ve had in the gallery was doing a life drawing class during the Genius and Ambition exhibition. The added bonus was being in the art gallery at night, the paintings and artwork came alive and seemed to have so much more drama. You noticed things in the different lighting that you would not have seen in the light of day. It was a very special privilege to be able to work amongst them and I hope I get to experience an art class at night in the Gallery again one day.
One of my favourite Artists Walter Withers also has one of his paintings in the permanent collection.
Walter Withers “The Drover”
I love my town and we have such a brilliant Art Director at our Gallery. Karen Quinlan is responsible for the world class exhibitions that have been brought to Bendigo and we are so grateful to have her and her team working for us in Bendigo.
I look forward to my next visit in the very near future.
Do you have a favourite art gallery? What painting has knocked your socks off when you saw it? What’s the Art Gallery like in your town? What’s your all time favourite exhibition?
Links and Acknowledgements
Bendigo Art Gallery – Past Exhibitions
Rona Green – Champagne Tastes and Lemonade Pockets
Leonard French – Journey of the Sun
Leonard French – Legend of Sinbad
Out and About – Getting My Art On Recently as part of maintaining balance in my life I decided to go to the Revealing Identity: the Collections of La Trobe University exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.
