Four new exhibitions open at the Grafton Regional Gallery last Saturday.   

A curator’s talk was delivered by Queensland College of Art jewellery and small objects convenor, Dr Elizabeth Shaw, followed by an address from Griffith University contemporary leader of indigenous art program director, Dr Bianca Beetson, who announce the winner of the Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award (CVIAA). 

CVIAA

This is the seventh exhibition for the biennial award, which is supported by the Yulgilbar Foundation, Create NSW and the Friends of Grafton Gallery. The CVIAA aims to promote contemporary indigenous art of the Clarence and develop the collection of local Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander art held by the Grafton Regional Gallery. Prizemoney for the 2019 CVIAA is $6000, with $5000 being the main open acquisitive prize, a $1000 encouragement award and a Youth Prize of art materials to the value of $300.

BATTLE SCARS

This moving exhibition is the culmination of local artist Julie Hutchings’ travels to France and Belgium in order to research the World War One battle history of her two indigenous great uncles. Her journey and this project were made possible through the Yugilbar Travelling Fellowship.

SENSE OF PLACE

Sense of Place explores how jewellery serves an important role in how we carry our stories, our ideas, and our identity.  Sense of Place, curated by Dr Shaw, presents the works of three contemporary jewellers, Maddison Bygrave, Kristina Gittins and Mia Wells who independently have been drawing inspiration from the Australian natural environment, specifically the coast and ocean.

IN SEARCH OF THE BEAUTIFUL

Maclean artist Phil Munn explores ancient Japanese woodblock prints and contemporary photography in the exhibition In Search of the Beautiful. Phil explores how our brains process many images every moment of every day and the subsequent reduction in our attention spans. His works are created to surprise our eyes with a mixture of the beautiful and the unusual, the ancient treasures of the art world mixed with photography.

Grafton Regional Gallery director, Niomi Sands said she was excited about the four exhibitions because they showcased the best of the Clarence Valley and its ability to bring unique works of art to the region.