A post is long overdue... But I've discovered that everything takes longer with one hand. Fracturing my fingers couldn't have come at a worse time (why couldn't I have done it in november?) But the show must go on.
So its out with the old and in with the new. This week I said goodbye to lucy goosey and the art of Australian picture books, and hello to Ace Bourke: A Collector's Journey.
What an amazing, inspiring and insightful exhibition of Ace Bourke's private collection. Works include historical etchings from colonial Australia (Bourke is a descendent of governor Philip Gidley King), aboriginal bark paintings, to works by contemporary artist friends of Burke's (Tracey Moffatt, Jonathan Jones, Micheal Riley, Jenny Kee). Also on display is the film of Bourke reunion with Christian the lion. A lion he bought in England in the '70s, raised for a year then returned to the wild! It is amazing to hear how casual Bourke is when telling the story about 'buying a lion from Harrods'.
The opening this arvo was a fantastic who's who of the Australian art world. It was officially opened by Burke's longtime friend, Jenny Kee and most of the contemporary artists represented were present.
Like I said earlier, it has been tough with fractured fingers (not to mention looking like a goose at the opening with my arm in a sling) trying to work as usual. I was on lighter duties today, which mainly consisted of telling people not to bring food and drinks into the exhibition. This turned out to be a great job as I was able to greet all the guests, have some excellent art chats and great networking.
In the past week I have also completed some more work on writing the ed kit for the Ruark Lewis exhibition (this will follow Burke's show in 6 weeks). Now I have typed the notes from our meeting, I have also done a fair bit of research (for quotes, practice) and started generating the art historical/ critical/ making questions. It is starting to come together... slowly!
Thats it for now, 97 hours down only 143 to go!
Photo: Ace Bourke and Jenny Kee at the opening of Ace Bourke: A Collector's Journey.
So its out with the old and in with the new. This week I said goodbye to lucy goosey and the art of Australian picture books, and hello to Ace Bourke: A Collector's Journey.
What an amazing, inspiring and insightful exhibition of Ace Bourke's private collection. Works include historical etchings from colonial Australia (Bourke is a descendent of governor Philip Gidley King), aboriginal bark paintings, to works by contemporary artist friends of Burke's (Tracey Moffatt, Jonathan Jones, Micheal Riley, Jenny Kee). Also on display is the film of Bourke reunion with Christian the lion. A lion he bought in England in the '70s, raised for a year then returned to the wild! It is amazing to hear how casual Bourke is when telling the story about 'buying a lion from Harrods'.
The opening this arvo was a fantastic who's who of the Australian art world. It was officially opened by Burke's longtime friend, Jenny Kee and most of the contemporary artists represented were present.
Like I said earlier, it has been tough with fractured fingers (not to mention looking like a goose at the opening with my arm in a sling) trying to work as usual. I was on lighter duties today, which mainly consisted of telling people not to bring food and drinks into the exhibition. This turned out to be a great job as I was able to greet all the guests, have some excellent art chats and great networking.
In the past week I have also completed some more work on writing the ed kit for the Ruark Lewis exhibition (this will follow Burke's show in 6 weeks). Now I have typed the notes from our meeting, I have also done a fair bit of research (for quotes, practice) and started generating the art historical/ critical/ making questions. It is starting to come together... slowly!
Thats it for now, 97 hours down only 143 to go!
Photo: Ace Bourke and Jenny Kee at the opening of Ace Bourke: A Collector's Journey.
Oh my, hope you'll have a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeletethats fantastic Marisa! Jenny kee is amazing!
ReplyDeletewould love to hear more about the ed kit
Thanks Sophie,
DeleteYeah she was amazing! such a life story, along with all the other artists who attended. I was star-struck.
The ed kit is coming along, but the toughest part is writing about Ruark Lewis in language that is accessible to high school students. We are interviewing him again for a film to accompany the exhibition so I hope that I can get some more info to finish off the kit.
Are you an art teacher too?
Sounds like the opening was a great networking opportunity for you! Usually the gallery minding part of the job can be pretty tedious, but during openings it's quite interesting to sit back and watch people move about the exhibition... if there are big names there that's also a plus!
ReplyDeleteI think art exhibition opening is a very pleasant time. For artist(s), curator(s), and those who organise the show, the opening is a very pleasant time because they complete the visualisation of what they have imagined theoretically and physically. Meeting different people who love art is a plus, also as Emily pointed big names. But I do not think it is the best time to appreciate artworks though. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marisa,
ReplyDeleteI have the same feeling that things always follow close on another.
but it is the time to put ourself through the mill and the ablity to cope with multi-task.
it sounds like an exciting opening day and I still learned some aboriginal history of Australia this semester,aboriginal art is really a valuable treasure to be protected, those aboriginal artists should have more insight perceptions and special expecience.
glad to know more about it.
Good Luck\
Chen