Hawkesbury Regional Gallery rounds out its 2024 program with two new exhibitions that focus on reusing and repurposing found objects: Barely Wearable by Sydney artist Ruth Downes and Re|Purpose, a curated display of objects from Hawkesbury Regional Museum's collection.
Tackling themes of waste and overconsumption, Ruth Downes' Barely Wearable is an exhibition of 30 wearable artworks made from everyday materials. Single use objects such as coffee pods, rubber bands, and surgical masks that would have otherwise been discarded to landfill, have been transformed into beautiful neckpieces, headwear and clothing.
Downes explains, "I am not afraid to embrace the imperfections, damage and limited life of so many manufactured products. The planning and making of a neckpiece out of materials I have not worked with before, can be very demanding. New materials can be challenging to understand but I do like to get away from the familiar and the predictable. The array of 'stuff' available today is truly breathtaking – our consumerism knows no end."
Hawkesbury Regional Gallery is the final stop in the exhibition's 14-gallery, five-year tour of NSW, Queensland and Victoria, so it might be the last time to see these spectacular works.
Alongside Downes' artworks, the gallery also presents Re|Purpose, a curated display of objects from the collection of Hawkesbury Regional Museum. This playful exhibition shines a spotlight on some of the Museum's most fascinating objects that share unexpected stories.
Unassuming items such as a Mayoral Robe and a Sausage Seasoning Tin tell us about the everyday lives of people from the Hawkesbury's past, and the clever and sometimes humorous way they 'made do' – recycling, upcycling and repurposing old materials and objects into something new and useful once more.
These exhibitions will be accompanied by the gallery's free, drop-in Maker Space where visitors of all ages and abilities can try their hand at jewellery making and get creative at their own pace during gallery hours. The Maker Space is also a designated Quiet Space from 12pm – 2pm on weekends.
Barely Wearable and Re|Purpose will be open to the public at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery from Saturday 7 December until Sunday 9 February (excluding Christmas). Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday – Friday 10am – 4pm, and Saturday – Sunday 10am – 3pm.
Opening Night
Friday, 6 December
6pm – 8pm
Celebrate the exhibition's launch and enjoy light refreshments at the gallery.
