TAMWORTH Regional Gallery has welcomed one of “Australia’s most important abstract painters” to town with its latest exhibition Measure.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The exhibition, which was launched last weekend, showcases works by Murrurundi-based artist Debra Dawes.
Chief Executive Officer and director of the Sydney Contemporary Barry Keloudis referred to Ms Dawes as one the nation’s most important in the abstract genre, at the exhibit’s opening on Saturday.
Weswal gallery director Sandra McMahon echoed the praise for Ms Dawes.
“Her art practice is informed by social, historical or political issues which are not always easy to see when you first look at her work,” she said.
“This exhibition will require the viewer to spend a bit of time with each of the artworks to gain a better understanding of the statement she is making.”
Measure provides an insight to the development of the artist’s work over the last 25 years.
“We are very fortunate that Debra decided to move to Murrurundi a few years ago” Ms McMahon said.
“Debra grew up in the northern region of New South Wales and is very happy to be settled back in the area close to family and friends.”
The artist was previously a lecturer at the Sydney College of the Arts and Tamworth gallery director Bridget Guthrie said Ms Dawes also challenged viewers visually.
“She is quite renowned for her abstract work,” Ms Guthrie said.
“You can see how some of the works have this grey shadow as part of the detail and it actually tricks your eye a little bit.
“So there’s focus and refocus.”
The Measure exhibition will be on display until June 3.
The weekend also brought the opening for an exhibition of works donated by Gunnedah print-maker Pat Rowley.
“We’re very, very fortunate that Pat was such a generous soul,” Ms Guthrie said.
While Ms Rowley was considered “one Australia’s finest print-makers in her own right, she also acquired a bevy of works from her artistic friends.
When she passed away in 2016, Ms Rowley this collection to the Tamworth Regional Gallery. The collection included works by Margaret Preston, Lionel Lindsay, Thea Proctor among others.