4 May to 16 June, 2019.

2019 CALLEEN ART AWA2019 CALLEEN ART AWARDRD T he 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.

T he winner of the Calleen Art Award 2019 was

1997 Archibald Prize winner Wendy Sharpe, for her

painting Erskineville Train Station 2018 oil on canvas 145 x

182 cm. This work now joins the Calleen Collection as the

2019 winner at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery.

Excerpt from Artist’s statement. “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.”

The Judge Commented in part that - “The painting captures with great theatricality a dynamic inner city street scene

through the lens of night.”

The Calleen Art Award encourages originality, creativity and excellence in the

visual arts and is a signature art event for Cowra.

BOOK LAUNCH

T he opening night included the launch of the book THE CALLEEN

COLLECTION by Peter Haynes, Curator, Writer and Art Historian.

Brian Langer - Gallery Director, Effy Alexakis - Photographer, and

Peter Haynes - Author, liaised to produce the book which is a beautifully

presented record of the winning artists and their works, as well as the

participating Judges.

During the evening guests were treated to the presentation of

delightful music by an ensemble of young musicians from the

Sydney Conservatorium greatly adding to the ambience of

the occasion.

COWRA REGIONAL ART GALLERY

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER produced by the Friends of the Cowra Regional Art Gallery

SPRING

2019 Vol. 12

No. 2

Awards Judge

Jane Watters, Director,

S.H. Erving Gallery,

Wendy Sharpe with her

2019 Calleen Art Award.

Jenni and Peter Fagan

who represented the

Calleen Trust.

Mayor of Cowra

Cr Bill West who

opened the exhibition

Image: Wendy Sharpe, Erskineville Train Station,

2018 oil on canvas, 145 x 182 cm.

Brian Langer, Director Cowra Regional Art

Gallery with Photographer Effy Alexakis

and author Peter Haynes.

Peter Larsen with his work.

T he winner of the People’s Choice

for the Calleen Art Award 2019

was Cowra based artist Peter Larsen for

his dramatic painting Hopeless Despair,

2019, watercolour, 120cm x 97cm. “This work arises from drought and its emotional toll on farmers... we’re all affected by it and that’s

why I wanted to do that painting”

Peter Larsen said.

2002 Calleen Award Winner

Mandy Martin with Peter Haynes.

2009 Calleen Award Winner

Rowan Mathews

and his recent entry -

oil on canvas “Steps 2019”.

Sydney Conservatorium Ensemble

performing during the evening.

VOLUME 12 NO 2

GALLERY NEWSLETTER SPRING 2019 PAGE 2

23 June to 21 July 2019

T he Director of the Cowra Regional Art Gallery Brian Langer, was

pleased to introduce this remarkable exhibition on Saturday 22 June,

2019.

Balnhdhurr—A Lasting Impression celebrated twenty years

of onsite printmaking at the Yirrkala Print Space, in a remote corner of

Arnhem Land - unique amongst remote community art centres with

continual production of limited edition fine art prints by locally employed

and trained Indigenous printmakers.

The exhibition consisted 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 were 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 was 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. The exhibition is presented by Artback NT in association with Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre.

PUBLIC PROGRAM EVENT Floor Talk.

Saturday 6 July 2019

Guest Speaker Dr Denise Salvestro Denise Salvestro has a PhD from the Australian National University on the history of print making by

Yolngu artists and the development of the Print Space at Yirrkala.

As part of her research, Denise studied Yolngu Matha Language & Cultural Studies at Charles Darwin

University in Darwin, and her enjoyable talk truly revealed her remarkable understanding and knowledge of her subject.

This talk was presented in association with the exhibition Balnhdhurr - A Lasting Impression, a

showcase of prints by over 50 artists from the Yirrkala Print Space at the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre,

Arnhem Land. A touring exhibition by Artback NT

PRINTING WORKSHOP with Catherine Bennett.

During the July School holidays, children (and family) had the opportunity on two occasions to try their

hand at print making from linocuts of animals and other motifs, that they

could also find in the works on display in the gallery. Many families called in

with their children, and clearly enjoyed the occasion.

25 May 2019.

CALLEEN ART AWARD 2019 – PUBLIC

EVENT

T he distinguished artist Wendy

Sharpe winner of the Calleen Art

Award 2019, visited the Gallery on

Saturday 25 May to receive her Award

and present a floor talk to an audience

of over 30 visitors. Wendy proved to be an

entertaining speaker who spoke with the

confidence and vivacity displayed in her artwork.

Afternoon tea followed this free Gallery

event allowing visitors to chat with the artist. Photos: Left. Brian Langer and Wendy Sharpe with her Award.

Top right: Part of the audience and at right, the artist chatting

with David Henley.

Image: Nyapanyapa Yunupingu,

Hunting Dhawu, 2001,

screenprint 47 x 39cm

Parents also joined in and

tried their hands at

printing

In introducing the Exhibition, Director Brian Langer told

of the history spanning 20 years, and the remarkable

story of the artists.

Gallery Administration Officer Jacque Perry

with Dr Denise Salvestro.

Karl Lazanski with daughter Ruby

working on a print.

Catherine Bennett and Helen Wilson

with the children.

Watching the video in the gallery after

making their prints.

Family members also enjoyed the experience

VOLUME 12 NO 2 SPRING 2019 PAGE 3

GALLERY NEWSLETTER

25 August to 22 September 2019

JamFactory Icon: Catherine Truman-no surface holds Cowra Regional Art Gallery was pleased to present the ‘must-see’ Catherine Truman: no surface holds - a

major touring Exhibition which is part of The JamFactory Icon series.

Following a very interesting and illuminating Meet the artist and Floor talk by Catherine Truman, the

exhibition was opened by Anne Brennan, artist writer and honorary visiting fellow of the Centre for Art History and

Theory at the ANU School of Art.

T his exhibition was the first time that Catherine Truman’s collaborative

practice with artists and scientists has been presented as a whole.

Truman presented an intriguing and diverse solo show of objects, installation,

images and film including several brand new works.

With a 35-year practice that covers public artworks to intricate

carvings, Catherine has exhibited widely both nationally and

internationally and is represented in a number of major national

and international collections including Coda-museum,

Netherlands, Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing,

China, and the National Gallery of Australia, to name a few. Last

year her carvings and jewellery were the subject of a major

survey exhibition shown at Art Gallery of South Australia.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps it is in a

vast landscape, or a personal experience. In Catherine Truman’s

case, it’s often what she sees through the microscope.

Catherine Truman: No surface holds --- JamFactory Icon 2017 is a JamFactory touring exhibition.

Catherine Truman: No surface holds --- JamFactory Icon 2017 has been assisted by the South Australian Government through Arts South Australia and the Australian Government through

the Australia Council for the Arts, Contemporary Touring Imitative.

3 August to 18 August 2019

S eventy-five years ago, on 5 August 1944, a mass breakout of Japanese

prisoners-of-war from Cowra POW Camp resulted in the loss of 231

Japanese and four Australian lives. Cowra today is a place of reconciliation

and peace between former enemies in World War II.

Following a Welcome to Country by Albert Murray on behalf of

the Wiradjari, Curator Dr. Roslyn Russell PhD. Historian, Museum

Curator, and Writer - introduced the 75: From Guns to Gardens

exhibition, telling of the background and collection of the historical items.

Cr. Judi Smith, Deputy Mayor then opened the exhibition which

bridges the gap between this tragic event and the reputation of Cowra today as a

town dedicated to peace and friendship, and as a place that celebrates international cooperation

and understanding across a range of venues and activities. The links between Cowra and Japan are

particularly strong, and are a key part of Cowra’s contemporary identity.

The exhibition began with objects associated with the breakout, then moved to items

associated with the opening of the Japanese Cemetery in 1964 and the Japanese Garden and

Cultural Centre in 1979, and the various exchanges and cooperative arrangements between Cowra and Japanese organisations as well as historic objects and items of decorative art, plans and

photographs and other documents.

Also on display was an installation by Michelle Belgiorno titled A Thousand Stitches of

Hope, a selection of contemporary senninbari belts from her collection of 75 artworks by

Australian and Japanese women made as a collaborative artwork, in conversation about the

World War II history of our two countries, whilst stitching historic and personal motifs onto the belts.

This collection of 75 contemporary senninbari belts has been donated by Michelle Belgiorno to the

Gallery.

Above and below: Catherine Truman

explaining the display and different items

during her Floor Talk.

Above: Anne Brennan who opened

the exhibition.

Below: Anne Brennan and artist

Catherine Truman with bouquets

by Jill Orr which were presented

following the Opening.

75: From Guns

to Gardens

Cowra Japanese Gardens in

bloom.

Sandy Morrison, Cr Judi Smith, Deputy Mayor,

and Cr Ray Walsh at the Opening.

Cr. Smith Opened the Exhibition.

Above - Curator Dr.

Roslyn Russell

PhD. introduced the

Exhibition.

Below: artist Michelle

Belgiorno who created

the Collection of

Senninbari installation

(visible behind) with

Dr Russell.

Above: Albert Murray

performed the Welcome to

Country on behalf of the

Wiradjari.

Below: Robyn Ryan with

Jacque Schultz - original

Director of Cowra Regional

Art Gallery, who was visiting

Cowra in connection with

the Cowra Voices Project.

Above: Director Brian Langer

introducing the speakers to the

large crowd.

Above: Marion Michell Read and

Silas Clifford Smith viewing an

original poster

Right: Terry

Colhoun AM.

and Barry

Jarman

long-time

members of

the Australia-

Japan Society.

Terry has

The Order of

the Rising Sun with Gold Rays and Rosette -

highest award for a

non-Japanese for his work in reconciliation

and history.

24 November to 8 December 2019

u pstART 2019 showcases the work of regional students in years

10, 11 and 12 encompassing a broad range of styles and

subjects.

The exhibition includes experimental and creative

approaches to painting, ceramics, mixed media, photography and sculpture made

during the past 12 months.

This is a “must-see” exhibition presented by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery

in association with local high schools.

EXHIBITIONS

LACHLAN VALLEY BIENNIAL ART AWARDS 28 September to 13 October 2019.

T he Lachlan Valley Art Awards are back again for 2019, including the following categories: painting,

drawing, watercolour and miniatures.

The Awards are open to Artists within a radius of 100 kilometres from Cowra and

presented in association with the Cowra Art Group Inc.

Helen Geier. Through Two Decades - 19 October to 17 November 2019.

T his exhibition includes paintings and works on paper by Braidwood-based artist Helen

Geier, produced between 2000 and 2019.

Geier has been exhibiting nationally and internationally for more than 4 decades.

Her exhibition history is substantial beginning in 1972. Her art explores the activity of

painting and is characterised by an incisive intellectual approach. That approach is

expressed through examination of the Australian landscape.

Helen Geier. Through Two Decades provides a unique opportunity to view the

work of one of Australia’s most significant artists. The exhibition is curated by Peter

Haynes author of Helen Geier, a monograph on the artist’s work published in 2016.

GALLERY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 12 NO 2 SPRING 2019 PAGE 4

Chair Person

Jack Mallon Ph 63450363

Newsletter Editor

Gwen Clark Ph 63423995

Secretary

Simone Sly Ph 0437 395 797

“The Friends” is a volunteer organisation formed to support the Cowra Regional Art Gallery, and operates as a 355 committee of Cowra Shire Council. Meetings are now held at 5.30 pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Nguluway Room adjacent to the Gallery. All welcome.

Cowra Regional Art Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 2pm – 4pm Gallery Director: Brian Langer Gallery Administration Officer: Jacqueline Perry. Gallery Assistant: Miriam Foley. 77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW 2794 Ph. 02 6340 2190 Fax: 02 6340 2191 Web page www: cowraartgallery.com.au Email: cowraartgallery@cowra.nsw.gov.au

The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is a cultural facility of the Cowra Shire Council

DREAM * BELIEVE * DO.

Image: Georgia Lewis, The water alters me and I alter

the water (detail) 2018, acrylic on board. Winner - Painting Award, Year 12, Cowra High School.

Gallery View of the 2018 UpstART exhibition.

Image: Helen Geier, Red Tears, 2016, water-

colour, gouache and ink on double Arches

300gram watercolour paper 49x57cm

2017 Miniature Award Winner was

David Lake’s Granite Country in oils.