Bathurst Regional Art Gallery [BRAG] is set to launch three exciting exhibitions this Saturday exploring national identity, lesser-known stories of the Central West and references to iconic illustrations.
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Just Not Australian features a collection of works from 20 artists across a diverse array of backgrounds, with each work interrogating what it means to be Australian at this point in time.
BRAG curator Emma Collerton said the exhibition will aim to broaden the narrative around preconceived notions of Australian history and sociocultural development.
"Just Not Australian engages artists from a number of minority backgrounds who, in the past, may not have had the opportunity to express their views on Australian identity through art," Ms Collerton said.
"Each work takes long-held aspects of Australian society and culture to produce differing perspectives on how our history should be acknowledged."
The exhibition also includes the film TERROR NULLIUS, created by Brooklyn-based Australian art collective Soda Jerk, which will air next Tuesday at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre [BMEC] as part of Inland Sea of Sound.
Myth-Making, Heroes and Villains incorporates the works of Hill End-based artist Rebecca Wilson to reflect on historical events around Hill End and beyond.
Wilson said the exhibition involves works from two separate collections, and aims to investigate the accuracy of the portrayal historical events while delving into the human condition.
"Mythology is one traditional educational tool of collected stories about culture, tradition, lessons to be learned, social guidelines to follow, heroes and villains, and good and evil," she said.
"These myths demonstrate our human capacity to build belief systems, perceptions and histories which may or may not be true."
Lazy Dynamite explores the work of Sydney-based ceramic artist Casey Chen, who incorporates folklore, mythology and pop culture in a homage to Chinese porcelain craft and Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
"I always look to add a contemporary twist to traditional East Asian art styles to connect with wider audiences," Chen said.
"I'm not too ambitious when it comes to adding greater meanings behind my artworks, as I believe art can be fundamentally appreciated for its aesthetic value alone."
Chen graduated from the National Art School in Sydney last December with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in ceramics.
The three exhibitions will run until April 5. For more information, visit www.bathurstart.com.au.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
