Art Gallery of Ballarat, 5 November 2022 –19 February 2023
Beating About The Bush brings together the Art Gallery of Ballarat‘s outstanding collection of paintings by Australian Impressionist artists with works by leading contemporary Australian female photographers. By bringing these contrasting perspectives together, the exhibition challenges our understanding of the Australian landscape and the perceptions behind the myths that have shaped our nation. This major exhibition is only open at the Art Gallery of Ballarat until Sunday 19 February 2023. For those unable to travel, this exhibition is also available through a virtual tour.
This captivating exhibition features themes such as gender, hardship of life in the bush, immigration, urban growth, environmental concerns and the presence of Indigenous peoples are explored through the work of some of Australia’s most exciting contemporary artists.
The Beating about the Bush exhibition is offering a multitude of interesting public programs that offer rare insight into the featured artists, the curation process, the Australian Impressionist era and even a drawing lesson from acclaimed artist, Lily Mae Martin.
Public Programs:
A new lens: Creatives at work
Over the period of week, Barking Spider creative artists, Penelope Bartlau and Jason Lehane, will be residents-in-gallery, creating an in-situ installation in response to the exhibition, Beating About The Bush. Visitors are invited to drop in drop in, observe, chat and participate with the artists as they create this installation. Monday 23 January–Sunday 29 January
Talk: Anne Zahalka’s radical reimaginings with Kelly Gellatly
Join curator and writer Kelly Gellatly as she discusses the essential work of Anne Zahalka in re-framing images of the Australia landscape. Zahalka’s work is central to the exhibition Beating About The Bush and is one of Australia’s most highly-regarded photo-media artists. Her work has often explored cultural stereotyping and has challenged these with a humorous and critical voice.
Saturday 4 February. Tickets: $15 or Gallery Member $10
Drawing in the gallery with Lily Mae Martin
Work with acclaimed artist Lily Mae Martin who will introduce participants to the art of drawing. Visitors will spend time in the Beating About The Bush exhibition where they will learn drawing basics, different techniques of perspective and composition and tricks to finding inspiration in the work of other artists.
Sunday 5 February
Panel discussion: Who’s in the picture? with Vanessa Gerrans
Three contemporary artists featured in Beating About The Bush will address aspects of landscape and identity. Join Peta Clancy, Siri Hayes and Jill Orr in a stimulating panel discussion led by Vanessa Gerran, Director of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. Saturday 11 February
“Beating About The Bush brings together historical and contemporary perspectives to challenge and extend our understanding of the Australian landscape and the perceptions behind the myths that shaped our nation.”
The Art Gallery of Ballarat
Founded in 1884, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest, largest and most significant art collection in regional Australia. The Gallery brings in over 200,000 visitors annually and is a major part of Ballarat’s visitor economy as well as a focus for visual arts in the Ballarat region. A recognised leader in regional arts, the Gallery is known for mounting high-profile, high-quality exhibition that contribute to national conversations and debates about culture and identity.
Enjoy a virtual tour of the Beating about the Bush exhibition in the link below:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=c92j4MSd8K5&dh=1&help=1
Image credits – provided by the Art Gallery of Ballarat
