Soak in the sea or move into meditations this month as artworks continue to pop up across the region.
As the coastlines of our country’s south busy over the summer period, the art scene elevates for the tourists. From Queenscliff to Warrnambool, Apollo Bay and Anglesea, art is plentiful.
Here are some of the best gallery and exhibition showcases happening across regional Victoria and this surf coast this month.
Coastal Meditations
From Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh to Helen Frankenthaler and Grace Hartigan, friendship forged in the art world has a long history. Locally, Karla Devlin and Lyndell Allen are best friends. They’re also artists whose work traverses acrylic painting, watercolour, drawing, mixed media, slow stitching, crochet and sculpture. In Coastal Meditations, viewers can breathe in the beauty of Apollo Bay’s coastline and the enduring power of friendship through a collection of paintings, drawings and textiles.
Coastal Meditations will be on display at Arts Inc, Apollo Bay from December 26-31
Infuse Art Prize
In this unique approach to creation, the Infuse Art Prize sees fellow artists working together. The prize aims to foster collaboration among artists, to inspire one another and to facilitate the exchange of skills and knowledge on its way to meaningful conversations, shared learning and creative growth. The exhibition will feature both 2D and 3D works across multiple mediums. It is the brainchild of local ceramicist, Ruby Pilven.
In its final stretch, Infuse Art Prize is currently on display at Ross Creek Gallery, Smythes Creek until December 22
Art on the Pier
Fresh air, art and even a touch of exercise makes for a winning combination at the Queenscliff Art on the Pier exhibition. Launched in 2021, it has become the biggest outdoor art and photography exhibition in the country with exhibitions also taking place in Rosebud and South Melbourne. Some 200 works will be on display in 2024/5. Winners will be announced in March 2025, with the overall winner awarded the Queenscliff Art Prize.
Freshly arrived this month, Queenscliff Art on the Pier is currently on display until April 30, 2025
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Surf Coast Arts Inc Postcard Exhibition
There is a small joy in receiving a postcard. Whether a snapshot of a city, monument or a work of art, postcards are a bite-sized piece of art to place on the fridge for years to come. A crowd favourite, the Surf Coast Arts Inc Postcard Exhibition returns with its mini masterpieces display. Participating artists win the chance to have their artwork printed as a real postcard.
The Surf Coast Arts Inc Postcard Exhibition will be hosted by Anglesea Art Space from December 12 until January 5, 2025
Unfathomable
One of the earliest evidences of the word ‘unfathomable’ is from the writings of Samuel Collins in 1617. Here, it serves as the title of a new exhibition that explores those things that are hard to explain, the things too raw to be exposed and too difficult to unpack through the creation of challenging, beautiful, messy and inspiring artworks. Artists featured include Jackie Gorring, Minna Graham, Ella Hughes, Chandra Paul and Dannielle Wilkinson.
In its final stretch, Unfathomable is currently on display at lot19, Castlemaine until December 22
Kait James: Red Flags
The work of Wadawurrung artist Kait James explores her identity as an Australian with both Anglo and Indigenous heritage. Red Flags is her most ambitious solo exhibition to date. In it, James tackles the act of ‘Aboriginalia’, mass-produced objects that depict culturally insensitive imagery and designs. James embeds language and imagery onto these products to create new narratives. Mini flag making workshops (for children six and above) will take place on January 21 & 22.
Currently on display at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, Red Flags will be available to view until February 23, 2025
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Watercolour Dreaming
Beginning in the 1930s with the famed Albert Namatjira (1902-1959), the Hermannsburg School is a movement characterised by the watercolours of the Western Arrernte landscape. This exhibition is a selection of more than 100 works that spans eight decades, gifted to the gallery by scholar and collector Dr Beverley Castleman and Mr Alan Castleman. Works include those by Albert Namatjira, Richard Moketarinja, Cordula Ebatarinja, Norman Ratara, Jillian Namatjira and Marie Abbott.
Currently on display at Bendigo Art Gallery, Watercolour Dreaming will be available to view until January 26, 2025
David Moore: Still and Infinite
The son of Australian painter Graham Moore, David Moore first set up an easel next to his father as a twelve-year-old before later studying under an Alice Bale Scholarship with Sir William Dargie and Harley Griffiths. Favouring the mediums of oil paint on canvas and cedar panels as well as gouache on paper, for decades Moore has created still-life and landscapes. He continues to enjoy the simplicity and intimacy of single objects.
David Moore: Still and Infinite will be hosted by Queenscliff Gallery from December 24 through January 19, 2025
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
