The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is preparing for a spectacular and artful autumn, with upcoming exhibitions set to showcase the work of artists Lisa Sammut, Merric Boyd, and Mei Zhao, and 75 years of artistic practice by the Wagga Wagga Art Society.
Gallery Director Dr Lee-Anne Hall said the exhibitions, the first for the Gallery's 50th year-long anniversary celebrations, will open on Saturday 15 February. Two associated public programs will be offered throughout the day, including an artist floor talk by Lisa Sammut from 11am – 12pm.
"And between 3pm – 4.30pm the Gallery's Engagement Officer Astrid Reed will join in conversation with Rachel Kent, CEO of Bundanon, and artists Mei Zhao and Lisa Sammut in a panel discussion titled 'Sojourn and Spark: Looking at Artist Residencies' will be held."
Dr Hall said 'Nuanced: 75 years of the Wagga Wagga Art Society' celebrated 75 years of a strong love of visual arts and community spirit in Wagga Wagga and showcases the unique talents and evolving skills of the society's current members.
"The 'Remapping Erased Landscapes' exhibition by Sydney-based artist Mei Zhao explores the history of early Chinese migration in the Riverina region.
"Mei Zhao has spent time doing multiple field trips and residencies in the Riverina, researching the region's Chinese market gardens. In her work she reimagines the presence of thousands of Chinese people lost to history."
Dr Hall said 'Fantastic Forms' commemorates the legacy of Merric Boyd, pairing his ceramics and drawings from the Bundanon Collection, with works by three contemporary artists – Nabilah Nordin, Stephen Benwell and Bundjalung artist Rubyrose Bancroft.
"'Fantastic Forms' brings Merric Boyd's lyrical work into conversation with the very different practices of three living Australian artists and thereby explores the joy of artmaking and its connection to everyday life.
"In 'Radial Sign', Lisa Sammut uses sculpture and installation to help us explore the ways cosmic forms and forces mirror the elusive dynamics, relations, and dimensions of our social worlds."
Dr Hall said this exhibition extends Sammut's interest in overlaying celestial phenomena and human narratives to investigate themes of otherness, power, and agency.
Four new exhibitions
'Nuanced: 75 Years of the Wagga Wagga Art Society'
4 February – 27 April
A group exhibition showcasing the talents of the society's current members.
Mei Zhao: 'Remapping Erased Landscapes'
15 February – 25 May
Commissioned exhibition of all new works supported by Create NSW.
Lisa Sammut: 'Radial Sign'
15 February – 27 April
A Goulburn Regional Art Gallery touring exhibition.
'Fantastic Forms: Bundanon'
14 February – 27 April
Work of Merric Boyd from the Bundanon Collection with contemporary works from Nabilah Nordin, Stephen Benwell and Rubyrose Bancroft.
