From a blank canvas to no negative space, local artists have boldly enveloped Platform Arts for their After Walter Hopps exhibition.
Geelong experimental arts house, Platform Arts has yet again invited hundreds of local artists to decorate the walls, floors and ceiling of their Gallery One space for open-call exhibition After Walter Hopps.
Following a successful inaugural year in 2022, the exhibition as spearheaded by Platform Arts senior curator, Dr. Amber Smith, draws from Walter Hopps’ 36 Hours project held at MOTA (Museum of Temporary Art) Washington, USA as staged in 1978. A renowned non-conformist, maverick curator, and transcender of boundaries, Walter Hopps devised this seminal project as an invitation for any artist to take their work to the gallery without any chance of rejection or censorship.
Platform Arts: After Walter Hopps Exhibition Viewing Times
- When: Wednesday 04 August – Friday 20 August, Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm, Sat: 10am – 3pm
- Where: Platform Arts, 60 Little Malop Street Geelong
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
View this post on Instagram
In similar fashion, Platform Arts handed over the control of their gallery curation to artists across the Geelong, Surf Coast, Bellarine and surrounding regions to exhibit any work they choose to call art on a “first-come, first-served” basis. The overall aim was to fill the Platform Arts gallery from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, in a show that take shape both cumulatively and expansively; a mission they undoubtedly completed.
The previous edition of After Walter Hopps’ saw the Platform Arts gallery display over 200 works from artists across all ages and disciplines with this year showing similar results. With the call-out now closed and all works submitted, Platform Arts have opened their doors to the public to view the amazing display of works.
Open today, Wednesday 4 September, and running until Friday 20 September, the Platform Arts exhibition will culminate in a closing party for all exhibitors to attend and celebrate the diversity of the works and coming together of community. In addition, two public programs will be held on-site at Platform Arts as part of the exhibition series.
View this post on Instagram
The first is a studio crits session led by Platform Arts LAB alumni Samantha Taylor and Lucy Allinson. Held within Platform Arts’ vibrant Gallery One space amongst the works, the session on Wednesday 11 September from 5.30pm – 8pm is a facilitated artist conversation and critique of studio practice. A series generally offered to Platform Arts LAB participants, Studio Crits offers space for local practitioners to discuss, analyse, and reflect upon their individual creative practices in a warm, nurturing environment, with the session generously opened to the community.
The second session is an ‘Ask A Curator’ in-person panel discussion about curatorial practice, gallery protocols, exhibitions, installs, commissions, and more. The panel includes three curators working across diverse exhibition formats: proud Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong woman, Tarryn Love (Koorroyarr and YOOKAPA); Ren Inei (Boom Gallery, Geelong); and Simon Lawrie (Lorne Sculpture Biennale, who will be zooming in from Helsinki). This event is co-presented with Making Change and forms part of the After Walter Hopps open-call exhibition at Platform Arts.
To learn more about the Platform Arts After Walter Hopps exhibition head here, or visit the Platform Arts gallery during their opening hours of Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, and Saturday 10am – 3pm. To register for the Studio Crits session, head here. To join the Ask A Curator discussion, head here.
