NERAM is kicking off its 2025 art program with five dynamic new installations that celebrate the breadth of contemporary art.
The museum’s first shows for 2025 – which open on Friday February 7 at 6pm – will bring together a diverse array of artists, ranging from emerging talent to the more established creators.
From the bold, boundary-pushing forms of abstraction to the timeless beauty of still life, the exhibitions promise to captivate and inspire audiences with a range of perspectives.
The new shows include:
The Interior: Natalya Hughes. This immersive installation combines sculptural seating, richly patterned soft furnishings, and uncanny objet d’art, nestled around a hand painted mural to generate a stimulating space to unpack our collective and unconscious biases.
Natalya Hughes, one of Australia’s most exciting mid-career artists, is known for her explorations of decorative and ornamental traditions and their associations with the feminine, the human form, and excess.
Vibrations: Abstract women in the collection. This collection shines a spotlight on incredible works in the NERAM collections created by leading contemporary women artists including Suzanne Archer, Vivienne Binns, Marion Borgelt, Judy Cassab, Elizabeth Coats, Michelle Collocott, Elisabeth Cummings, Debra Dawes and Helen Eager among others.
Oddity Part 1: KHR Stewart. Exploring the subliminal world of the subconscious, this exhibition, draws from life experience in collaging influential moments in time and personal relationships interspersed with the surreal. Stewart’s current process involves collecting and combining photographs into digital tableaux which are then reproduced as detailed oil paintings.
Contemplations: Contemporary still life. This exhibition of still life artworks offers a compelling exploration of one of the oldest and most enduring genres in art history. Featured artists include Andrea Gledhill, Fiona Cotton, Fiona O’Byrne, James White, Jodi Thompson, Kate Durack, Kir Larwill, Leah Bullen, Lucy McCann, Michaela Laurie, Phoebe Hillard, Samantha Dennison, and Simone Hale.
Dancing with Colour: Jamie-Lee Garner and Frances Edwina Powell.This is a joint exhibition between local artist and potter Jamie-Lee Garner and Brisbane-based artist Frances Edwina Powell. Each embraces bold colour in their artistic practices, imbuing their works with movement and dynamism. Garner creates her pottery vessels then ‘upholsters’ them with vintage textile offcuts while Powell mimics acts of daily pantomime with her collages reminiscent of Matisse.
NERAM director Rachael Parsons said she was excited about eclectic mix of exhibitions that will launch the museum’s 2025 program.
“We are thrilled to launch the New England Regional Art Museum’s 2025 exhibition program, with five new and outstanding exhibitions,” said Ms Parsons
“Our first opening night will be a dynamic celebration of creativity that showcases the diverse talents and rich stories of our region and beyond.
“This suite of exhibitions shows off the NERAM collections in Vibrations: Abstract women in the collection, includes a major touring exhibition The Interior: Natalya Hughes and highlights both local and national artists.
“As part of an extended opening weekend there are also talks and workshops to enrich people’s experience of the exhibitions and unleash their own creativity. I invite everyone to explore these exhibitions, which promise to spark dialogue, ignite imagination, and leave a lasting impression on all who visit.”
There will be a Tufting Workshop Saturday February 8, from 10am – 12pm where exhibiting artist Natalya Hughes will lead participants through some of the techniques and processes, she has employed to create custom textile works in The Interior.
Artist Frances Edwina Powell will also be hosting a Colourful Collage Workshop on Saturday, February 8 from 2pm to 4pm.
In Conversation with Natalya Hughes and Rachael Parsons will be held before the opening on February 7, from 5:30pm to 6pm.
For more information or bookings for the opening night or other events please visit www.neram.com.au.
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