2020 has been somewhat interesting, to say the least. Here in Australia we have experienced Fires followed by Floods, then Lockdown due to Covid-19 and more recently Black Lives Matter.
I guess it has forced our vision into the uncomfortable truths of climate change, social isolation, panic buying, inequality in all its guises, police brutality, unbelievable political decisions plus many more issues that usually get swept under the carpet. The fear and uncertainty have certainly been palpable.
It has made me question so much about a life of freedom and possibility I probably took for granted though largely was excluded from. The sadness of where we are at in social and environmental consciousness, of political scandals, of big business interests reigning supreme, has dampened my enthusiasm for creating, although I was able to push through it at times and did create some work I was proud of.
So when, finally, when we were able to visit an art precinct in the flesh I took the opportunity!
Newcastle Art Gallery currently has two exhibitions for viewing (pre online booking required). Visual viewing certainly has so much more to offer than the virtual.
Downstairs is Homeward Bound-the art and life of Tom Cleghorn.
It’s the first major survey of his work. I first came across Tom Cleghorn’s work in Adelaide, where, at 94 years of age, he now resides. He began his art work painting around Lake Macquarie and had his first exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery in 1959. Hence the name of the exhibition. His work is abstract expressionist and I loved seeing the diversity represented here.
Tom Cleghorn
Upstairs is Repeater, being works held in the Gallery Collection. The works selected are based on pattern making, mimicking life in a pandemic almost. They were very comforting I must say. Many artists are represented including Daniel Boyd, Robert Jacks, Marion Borgelt and Peter Tilley.
Repeater
You can visit virtually through this link Newcastle Art Gallery
Enjoy
Marionne