Art Shows Around Australia Worth Putting Your Jumper On For
Yeah, Nice Gallery
It’s winter in Australia which means the complaining standards of everyone in this country are through the roof.
Everyone else in the world no doubt looks to Australia and thinks we’re pathetic for complaining in winter considering for the most part of the year there are rules at pubs requesting us to actually put a shirt on to get inside. But here we are pulling out the puffer jacket designed for winters where you would likely die without wearing it as soon as it drops below twenty degrees. Sure the waves might be better in winter, but because there are less hours of sunshine it automatically feels like there’s less to do. One activity that is 100% winter friendly though, no matter where you are, is going to art exhibitions - they’re inside, you usually get a free drink and you can huddle next to someone to look at a painting and they definitely won’t think it’s weird. Someone standing beside you in summer though? Absolutely not. Here’s our pick of the best exhibitions to catch around the country this winter.
Laundry Gallery/Alana Holmberg
Kimarrakini at Laundry Gallery
Dragonflies are here, milkwoods are flowering, it’s dry season – it’s Kimarrakini. Drawing inspiration from the plush tropics around Pilangimpo, Kimarrakini features nine artists from the community of Pirlangimpi on Melville Island in collaboration with Munupi Art. Using ochre, the pattern designs featured in Kimarrakini tell Tiwi creation stories and are an ode to the dry season. Everything starts to happen when the rain stops - going out bush on country, camping, fishing, burning, ceremonies and art. Laundry Gallery is quickly becoming one of our favourite galleries and this collection nodding to the change of seasons as it happens is a testament to a gallery paying attention to the connectedness of artists with the land.
Following a successful Sydney Debut last year the Affordable Art Fair is back with the largest Australian program to date. Showcasing original works from over 56 of the nation’s best galleries this one is your ticket for snagging art under $10,000. It’s also a great way to do some of your own forecasting on the who’s who of emerging talent. Two floors, four days plus food and drinks to keep your stomach happy while your eyes are too. Tickets from $17 hosted at the Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Program runs from Thursday 15th June until Sunday 18th June.
Adam Leng at the House of Hake
Adam Leng is featured in this year’s Bright Young Things series (launching next week), so of course we’re going to include our boy in this list. We already called it that this guy was one to watch but with his very own solo show at the prestigious Hake House kicking off on the 16th June, we’re here to say we told you so. Hypnotic graphic patterns in earthy colours, a modern take on First Nation art is what you can expect from Adam. He’s one of the nicest fellas we’ve ever had to pleasure of getting to know so get out there and support him.
Opening night 18th June.
The Lume is just about to wrap up an impressive exhibition on iconic 19th Century Parisian artist Monet. It’s the closest thing you’ll get in Australia to imagining yourself at the Orangerie Museum in Paris so my suggestion would be to stop in at the Lune on the way in to grab a croissant for extra effect. If you don’t have time to see Monet before its closure on June 4, there is another equally impressive exhibition set to launch on June 23. Connection is one of the most comprehensive telling of our country’s story, featuring over 550 digital and original artworks from more than 110 visual and musical artists, representing the largest collection of First Peoples’ art ever assembled.
Monet & Friends ends June 4. Connection Opens June 23.
On Glimmer, On Being Group Show At Yeah, Nice Gallery
Three artists, one gallery show – Byron art fans are in for a treat this weekend at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Featuring Charlotte Alldis, Ozzy Wrong and Mo, there will be more colours at this thing than a kaleidoscope toy from when you were a kid. Did you know kaleidoscope is derived from the Greek words kalos (beautiful), eïdos (form), and skopeïn (to view) which seems like a pretty, nice way to describe this show if I don’t say so myself.
Opening night June 2nd.