My Geelong—our Gallery

The Geelong arts scene is booming, and one venue we can thank for that is The Geelong Gallery. Located in the heart of Geelong, the Geelong Gallery is one of Australia’s leading and oldest regional art galleries. Since its establishment in 1896, this major art gallery has a welcoming collection of Australian and European art from the 19th and 20th century. Featuring paintings, Australian sculpture, English porcelain, British art pottery, ceramics, paper works and decorative arts, the amazing display here will keep you occupied for hours.
Including optional public talks and guided tours, the gallery also holds special exhibitions each year that encompass the best in historical and contemporary art.
One particular exhibition currently on show is My Geelong—our Gallery, the community engagement campaign focused on the fact that we all ‘own’ the Geelong Gallery and the artistic riches of its collection.
Back for its second biennial exhibition, My Geelong—our Gallery reveals the artistic riches of Geelong Gallery, a collection owned by the people of Geelong. Twenty-two diverse members of the Greater Geelong community were invited to meet Gallery Director and CEO, Jason Smith, and select a favourite work of art.
2018 participants include Igni restaurant owner and chef, Aaron Turner, Geelong Football Club captain, Joel Selwood, local Aboriginal leader, Norm Jurrawaa Stanley, primary school student, Alyssa Taylor and City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Bruce Harwood, just to name a few. The participants’ collective choices are exhibited in this revealing and fascinating exhibition and trail through the Gallery, truly showcasing the diverse and esteemed nature of the Geelong Gallery.
Patti Manolis, Chief Executive Officer of Geelong Regional Libraries, was one community member who took part. She nominated Sally Ross ‘Landscape’ 2012 (pictured) saying “This is one of the most exquisite paintings in the Geelong Gallery collection. I am drawn to it for many reasons including that I love depictions of nature and regularly spend time in the wilderness. The depth of colour, the pointillist technique and the beautiful dreamy swirls heighten the mystery and beauty of the landscape and my appreciation of all things natural and wild being so vital to sustaining life on our planet.”
This exhibition runs until September 9 2018 so pop in and check out the artistic riches of Geelong Gallery.
Head to www.geelonggallery.org.au for more information.