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MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY CELEBRATES REOPENING WITH FIVE NEW EXHIBITIONS

intouch Magazine
Oct 15, 2021
2 min read

Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) is now open to the public and is celebrating with five exciting new exhibitions.

MRAG Gallery Director Gerry Bobsien says, ‘We’re so excited to welcome the community back to the Gallery for another season of inspirational art.

‘We’ve all spent so much time working, home schooling and staying at home, so coming to the Gallery is a great opportunity to explore new ideas, get some inspiration and enjoy the company of friends in our beautiful building.’

The season is headlined by ‘National Art’, a touring exhibition by 50 of Australia’s most significant artists who studied at the National Art School over the past seven decades. The dynamic selection varies from abstract and expressive genres to experimentation with form, to cultural landscapes and political perspectives, Dada and the surreal, interior viewpoints and the everyday.

Feel the impact of the 2019 bushfire crisis felt across Australia in a moving solo exhibition ‘Unpreparable’, where Hunter based artist Fiona Lee has shaped works from her home’s scorched remnants.

Be uplifted by ‘Operation Art’, featuring work by young creatives that have been selected for display at the Westmead Children’s Hospital. Plus, the Gallery has extended the season for the popular exhibition ‘Barka, the Forgotten River’ by Badger Bates and Justine Muller.

Discover the nation’s largest unsanctioned art campaign, ‘Bushfire Brandalism’, where 41 artists reacted to the feelings of powerlessness experienced during the catastrophic bushfires.

Starting Saturday 16 October, connect with local heritage in ‘A Conspicuous Object’, where ten artists draw upon stories provided by local communities about the old Maitland Hospital to intertwine art, history and health.

The Gallery Shop is also hosting a Spring Sale.

All exhibitions are free to attend and families can enjoy self directed art activities, including Art Trails and Code Breakers.

Séraphine Café will reopen on 1 December, and the Gallery’s public programs will resume in November.

To find out more about the exhibitions and view what’s on, visit MRAG.ORG.AU

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