Art Tracks VII: Not at the Dinner Table!
12 January to 25 May 2024
‘Art Tracks VII: Not at the Dinner Table!’ brings together works from the collections acquired through the Muswellbrook Art Prize, spanning from radical ideas to the taboos in normalcy of everyday life. These pieces serve as a visual testament to the transformative power of art, transcending limits, and shedding light on topics considered unfit for polite conversation.
The contemporary artists featured in this exhibition acknowledge that within these restricted subjects lies the potential for deeper understanding, empathy and connection. Some make bold political statements through their work, such as Adam Norton’s utilisation of protest iconography in his ‘Giant Badges’ series, 2020, and Mike Parr revisiting his previous political art performances in ‘Against the Dead (Self Portrait as a Wedge),’ 1983. Others delve into taboo subjects like death, exemplified by Susanne Archer’s ‘The Graveyard,’ 1987.
The exhibition space itself is a forum for open discourse, challenging visitors to reassess the boundaries that dictate what is deemed acceptable for discussion in public settings. ‘Art Tracks VII: Not at the Dinner Table!’ encourages viewers to reflect on the sources of their discomfort and question why certain topics remain off-limits.
Adam Norton, ‘Earth Abides’ 2020, synthetic polymer paint on aluminium, 110 x 110 x 10cm, Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection, Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize 2021, Purchased courtesy the Max Watters Bequest.
Warrior Expressions: Warrior Disability Services
12 January to 25 May 2024
Showcasing artwork by people living with a disability, ‘Warrior Expressions’ celebrates the experiences, stories, and emotions of the Warriors from Warrior Disability Services. The experience of connecting with their creative potential through the visual arts has worked to enhance wellbeing and supported a sense of belonging.
Sharing their perspectives, imagination, and creativity for what brings each of them joy and happiness, ‘Warrior Expressions’ invites viewers to forge connections with the Warriors through the language of art.
Hayden Mass, ‘Water Warrior’ 2022, acrylic on canvas, 50 x 40cm.
Muswellbrook Art Prize
2 April to 25 May 2024
Established in 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize is a now $70,000 acquisitive prize across the categories of painting ($50,000), works on paper ($10,000), and ceramics ($10,000). Medium alone acts as theme of the Muswellbrook Art Prize; the Prize capturing the diverse subjects and practices of contemporary artists working throughout Australia.
Astute adjudication of the Prize over the years has yielded an excellent collection of modern and contemporary Australian paintings, works on paper, and ceramics from the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, with the winning acquisitive works forming the nucleus of what is now known as the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.
Along with Muswellbrook Shire Council, who since 1958 has acted as sponsor and administrator of the Muswellbrook Art Prize, Bengalla Mining Company has generously sponsored the Prize for close to three decades, their commitment ensuring the development of the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.
Avital Sheffer, ‘Luminaria IV’ 2024, earthenware clay, 54 x 26 x 15cm, Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize 2024, Ceramics.
Yalawapanpi: Michelle Earl
2 April to 3 August 2024
Darkinjung/Wonnarua artist, Michelle Earl rescues many preloved items from the side of the road during her travels. She never passes up the opportunity for upcycling. First it was vintage metal and other items that inspired her creativity, and now timber stools. Michelle has always loved the look of vintage pieces in quiet corners throughout her home – they add the warmth and welcoming presence of a bygone era, their patina and marks adding emotion and essence.
Stools are an art form in themselves. They are familiar objects. They can prompt us to sit and stay awhile so that we take the time to reflect on our surroundings – Yalawapanpi. Using paint and the symbols of her Aboriginal and European Heritage, Michelle tells her own stories, enriching and continuing the story of each stool.
Michelle Earl, ‘Honey Ants’ 2023-24, acrylic on timber, 60 x 40 x 40cm.
