Balnhdhurr: A Lasting Impression

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Nyapanyapa Yunupingu, Hunting Dhawu, 2001, screenprint 47 x 39cm.

In a remote corner of Arnhem Land at the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre sits Yirrkala Print Space.

Balnhdhurr—A Lasting Impression celebrates twenty years of onsite printmaking at the Yirrkala Print Space, unique amongst remote community art centres with twenty years of continual production of limited edition fine art prints by locally employed and trained Indigenous printmakers.

The exhibition consists of the works from 50 artists, many that are historically significant and reveal the significant impact the introduction of bright acrylics had on artists, which allowed them to explore a whole new genre of artistic storytelling that became a joyous explosion of colour and expression.

The works in the exhibition are a vibrant acknowledgement of the creative energies, talent and commitment of generations of Yolngu artists who have utilised and pushed the boundaries of such a medium to share significant cultural and historical stories. Balnhdhurr is a coming together of cultures and time, providing an opportunity for a wider audience to recognise the accomplishments of a sustainable, functional and thriving print studio operating in an isolated landscape.

Since Yirrkala Print Space began in 1995 when a purpose built area was designed to host a printing press it has become an integral and vital component of the community.

Balnhdhurr – A Lasting Impression continues at the COWRA REGIONAL ART GALLERY to Sunday 21 July 2019. The exhibition is presented by Artback NT in association with Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre.

Cowra Regional Art Gallery is located at 77 Darling Street, Cowra.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 2pm–4pm. Admission free. For more information visit www.cowraartgallery.com.au or tel 6340 2190.

Wendy Sharpe: Floor Talk, Saturday 25 May, 2PM

Thursday, May 16, 2019

The winner of the 2019 Calleen Art Award, Wendy Sharpe, will be a guest speaker at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery on Saturday, 25 May at 2pm. The ‘floor talk’ is a Public Program Event of the gallery, and Wendy will discuss her winning painting, Erskineville Train Station.

Wendy Sharpe Erksineville Train Station

Wendy Sharpe, Erskineville Train Station, 2018 oil on canvas, 145 x 182 cm. Winner Calleen Art Award 2019.

77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW 2794
Open Tues to Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 2pm–4pm
Admission free

For further information, please contact the Gallery Director, Brian Langer:
E: blanger@cowra.nsw.gov.au
Tel: (02) 6340 2192

2019 Calleen Art Award winner announced

Monday, May 6, 2019

The exhibition opening of the Calleen Art Award 2019 acquisitive prize for painting took place at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery on Saturday night 4 May 2019. Over 130 people crowded into the Gallery for the announcement of the winner including many of the finalists. Guest speakers were Cowra Mayor, Cr Bill West, who opened the exhibition, Jenni Fagan representing the Calleen Trust and the 2019 Award Judge, Jane Watters, Director, S.H. Erving Gallery, Sydney.

This year the Gallery received 300 entries and 53 paintings (by 53 artists many from regional New South Wales) were selected as finalists.

The winner of the Calleen Art Award 2019 is Wendy Sharpe for her painting Erskineville Train Station, 2018, oil on canvas 145 x 182 cm. This work joins the Calleen Collection as the 2019 winner at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery.

Wendy Sharpe Erksineville Train Station

Wendy Sharpe, Erskineville Train Station, 2018 oil on canvas, 145 x 182 cm. Winner Calleen Art Award 2019.

Artist Statement: “When I first moved to Erskineville in inner Sydney, it was a rundown rough area full of life. It was also one of the cheapest places to live. Although it has changed a lot, I am glad to say some of eccentric characters are still here, and a few more added.

I walk from Erskineville to my studio in nearby semi industrial St Peters everyday. This walk is often spent thinking about what I am working on. What I see around me often feeds into to what I am painting.”

Judges Comments: “The painting captures with great theatricality a dynamic inner city street scene through the lens of night. The narrative intent of the work leaves the viewer to contemplate and consider the possible outcome in almost a film noir manner. The painting includes a portrait of the artist as an observer of the scene unfolding in front of her. Curiously Sharpe does not consider herself a portrait painter despite being awarded the 1997 Archibald Prize. However she masterfully uses her subjects almost as characters in a play – the colour, shadows and spotlights – work in unison to create a compelling picture that I kept coming back to.”

During the evening guests were treated to the presentation of delightful music by an ensemble of young musicians from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney.

The Calleen Art Award 2019 exhibition continues to Sunday 16 June 2019. For more information, phone: (02) 6340 2190.

The Gallery is located at 77 Darling Street, Cowra and open from Tues–Sat, 10am–4pm and Sun 2pm–4pm. Admission is free.

2019 Calleen Art Award: Announcement of Finalists

Wednesday, March 27, 2019


The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive art prize worth $20,000 for painting in any style or subject and this year the Cowra Regional Art Gallery received 300 entries from across Australia. There are 53 artworks in the finalists’ exhibition consisting of an engaging range of themes and subjects selected by a panel of art professionals.

The Calleen Art Award encourages originality, creativity and excellence in the visual arts and is a signature art event in the Central West of NSW. The winning work will join the Calleen Collection housed at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery and visitors to the Calleen Art Award exhibition can vote in the People’s Choice Award, which is non-acquisitive, with prize money of $1,000 supported by the Friends of the Gallery.

The opening night and announcement of the winner of the 2019 Calleen Art Award is on Saturday 4 May from 6pm and promises to be a memorable and enjoyable event. All welcome.

Exhibition dates are 5 May to 16 June 2019. For more information and group bookings contact the Gallery 6340 2190.

List of finalists:

  • Peter Allen-Ankins
  • Louise Anders
  • Susan Baird
  • Michael Bell
  • Max Berry
  • Kate Briscoe
  • Annabel Butler
  • Anthony Cahill
  • Tam Cao
  • Carol Christie
  • Dagmar Cyrulla
  • Inel Date
  • Sinead Davies
  • Mark Dober
  • Mary Donnelly
  • Kate Dorrough
  • Philip Edwards
  • Michele England
  • Glenda Fell Jones
  • Keith Fyfe
  • Jennifer Gabbay
  • Oscar Giammichele
  • Craig Handley
  • Geoff Harvey
  • Vicki Hersey
  • Penny Hulbert
  • Janne Kearney
  • Yvonne Langshaw
  • Peter Larsen
  • Steve Lopes
  • Marie Mansfield
  • Kiata Mason
  • Nic Mason
  • Tania Mason
  • Rowen Matthews
  • Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty
  • Bridgette McNab
  • Matilda Michell
  • Hal Pratt
  • Glen Preece
  • Sarah Randall
  • Christine Read
  • Petra Reece
  • Lucy Roleff
  • Marion Rounsley
  • Megan Seres
  • Wendy Sharpe
  • Gary Smith
  • Sally Stokes
  • Leah Thiessen
  • Anita West
  • Judith White
  • Christine Wrest-Smith

War and Pieced: The Annette Gero Collection of Quilts From Military Fabrics, SPECIAL EVENT TALK

Friday, February 1, 2019

Intarsia with Soldiers, c.1760-1780, possibly Prussia, maker unknown (initials JSJ), wool, all hand sewn, intarsia. Photo: Tim Connolly, Shoot Studios.

Exhibition Dates: 23 February to 28 April 2019
Special Event – Exhibition Talk: 23 February 2019

Not to be missed!! This stunning exhibition – a blockbuster exhibition just back from New York – is a unique showcase of spectacularly complex geometric quilts made from military fabrics by soldiers and military tailors in the time of war. Once termed “soldiers’ quilts” or “convalescent quilts”, the pieced textiles in this exhibition are associated with World War I and World War II, as well as the earliest quilts from the Napoleonic Wars, the late eighteenth century, conflicts in India, South Africa and wars during the nineteenth century.

The visual virtuosity of the quilts, often incorporating many thousands of pieces no larger than 2–3 centimetres square, assumes a deeper emotional resonance as we consider them within the matrix of war and its aftermath. As works of art, they demonstrate that something beautiful can be an outcome of war. This Cowra Regional Art Gallery exhibition is drawn from the unparalleled collection of internationally acclaimed quilt authority, Dr. Annette Gero.

SPECIAL EVENT: EXHIBITION TALK

“Wartime Quilts” presented by Dr Annette Gero, on Saturday 23 February 2019, 2–3pm

Venue: Cowra Civic Centre – Theatrette, Darling Street (opposite the CRAG), followed by afternoon tea and special book signing by Annette Gero of her award winning book Wartime Quilts, Appliqués and Geometric masterpieces.

Cost: $10pp ($5 Friends of the Gallery, membership card must be shown at the door)
Tickets available from the Cowra Visitor Centre – Tel: (02) 6342 4333
or from online:
trybooking.com

No reserve seating