Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery will shine a spotlight on women’s stories in three new exhibitions opening on Friday 12 July.
Female artists will feature throughout the Gallery as the three shows, XX, Always soft, Always strong, and Mother Controller, delve into different aspects of women’s experience and perspective.
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Arts, Heritage and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Councillor John Learmonth said the female takeover of the Gallery was an exciting focus for the Winter program.
“It’s wonderful to see the whole Gallery filled with artworks by female artists,” Cr Learmonth said.
“There’s so much to be inspired by and to provoke thoughtful, considered discussion.”
XX is an exploration of contemporary ceramics and the expressive power of the female touch when shaping the malleable medium into a vessel.
Curated by Bundaberg Regional Galleries Director Rebecca McDuff and featuring never before seen pieces commissioned for the exhibition, XX offers new perspectives on a traditional art form often valued for its functionality rather than creativity.
In Always soft, Always strong by multidisciplinary artist Dr Karike Ashworth surveys works the artist made between 2015 and 2023, many of which reflect on her earlier exhibition Lamentation, her personal experiences of IVF and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this new exhibition, Karike seeks to gently provoke viewers as she addresses the often contradictory experience of being a woman in a supposedly post-feminist society.
Completing the trio of exhibitions, The Ironing Maidens bring The Vault to life with its interactive installation Mother Controller.
Using a mix of projected visuals, lights, music and props, visitors’ gestures can control the character in the projected image, making her continue to iron or helping her break free from the monotony.
Cr Learmonth said in addition to the opening celebration, the artist talks on Saturday 13 July were not to be missed.
“The opening weekend artist talks will inspire and inform by giving local audiences further insights into the artists’ creative practices,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the artists and take part in stimulating conversations about creativity.”
A conversation around the changing face of contemporary ceramics will be discussed with a panel of artists exhibiting in XX at 10 am Saturday 13 July.
This will be followed by an artist talk and tour of Always soft, Always strong with Rebecca and Dr Karike Ashworth at 11 am.
Find more information about Bundaberg Regional Galleries’ Winter Program here.
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery will be closed from Monday 8 July to Friday 12 July for installation of the new exhibitions, reopening Friday 12 July at 5.30 pm for the opening celebration.
Exhibition opening
XX | Curated by Bundaberg Regional Art Galleries | Gallery One
Always soft, Always strong | Dr Karike Ashworth | Gallery Two
Mother Controller | Ironing Maidens | The Vault
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
When: Friday 12 July 5.30 pm
Where: Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, 1 Barolin Street, Bundaberg
Light refreshments will be served.
Free event, no booking or RSVP required.
XX Artist panel
When: Saturday 13 July 10 am
Where: Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, 1 Barolin Street, Bundaberg
Free event, no booking or RSVP required.
Always soft, Always strong Artist tour and talk
When: Saturday 13 July 11 am
Where: Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, 1 Barolin Street, Bundaberg
Free event, no booking or RSVP required.