Join the Art Gallery of Ballarat as they host a summer of public programs for their major exhibition, Beating About The Bush. The exhibition brings together the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s outstanding collection of paintings by Australian Impressionist artists with works by leading contemporary Australian female photographers. From a premiere book launch about forgotten Australian rescues to watching creatives at work, the summer public programs enrich the whole community. Highlights of the program include:
Book launch and film screening
In a special premiere film screening, book launch and panel discussion, learn about a forgotten piece of Australian history. Thousands of colonists were rescued by aboriginal people from life-threatening situations, such as bushfires, floods, shipwrecks and being lost in the bush.
Award-winning author Associate Professor, Dr Fred Cahir launches his latest book They rescued us! Aboriginal Heroes on Country. In addition, filmmakers at Wind & Sky Productions premier their new film Acts of Heroism. The panel includes Professor Andrew Gunstone and First Nations composer and singer, Deb Lowah Clark. Saturday 3 December
Art Bites: Beating About The Bush collages
For this school holiday workshop, participants will visit the Beating About The Bush exhibition to gain inspiration from artist Jacqui Stockdale’s collage works and then create a quirky self-portrait collage. Tuesday 10 & Tuesday 17 January
Talk: Lifting the lid on the Heidelberg School with Juliette Peers
Beating About The Bush takes a new and unexpected look at the artists of the Australian Impressionist era. In this talk cultural historian Juliette Peers takes does a deep dive into the Heidelberg School, discovering fresh images from the period and revealing how women artists have been written out of the history books. Saturday 21 January
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 re-imaginings 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
For those who are yet to visit the exhibition, Beating About The Bush runs until Sunday 19 February 2023.
The Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest, largest and most engaging regional art gallery in Australia. Established in 1884 by the citizens of Ballarat, the Gallery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and by the National Trust of Victoria.
