The Collectors Club
The annual Show and Tell Christmas Party was held on Sunday 14 December. A fantastic turnout after a tumultuous 2020 with member turnout at a high and 38 pieces of art shown by members. Thank you to Ron Nyisztor of Nyisztor Studio for hosting the event and hanging the collectors artworks. Thank you also to the president, committee and members for contributions of Christmas party food!
See a few photos from the event below.
In a close competition for all finalists, the 2020 John Stringer Prize has been awarded to Susan Roux for her work, I – VI. The work is showing until December 13 at the John Curtin Gallery at Curtin University along with the other finalists, Western Australian artists, Eva Fernandez, Fiona Gavino, Peggy Griffiths Madij, Curtis Taylor and Mark Tweedie.
Susan Roux is a South African born West Australian artist. Her work is a critique on and response to cultural and social change regarding gender and body politics. The work often takes specific historical events as her point of departure, conveying burdens and conflicts with precise and economical means.
The Prize Night was attended by over 100 guests of The Collectors Club and John Curtin Gallery who hosted the event. Several of the works were purchased on the night.
The prestigious John Stringer Prize, created in 2015 in honour of acclaimed curator, the late John Stringer (1945–2007), commissions six contemporary Western Australian artists to create new work from which the winning artist will be determined by a secret ballot conducted by The Collectors Club members.This year they were selected by an independent selection panel consisting of Janis Nedela, Curatorial Department, Kerry Stokes Collection, Glenn Iseger-Pilkington, Lead Consultant, Gee Consultancy and Jane King, Gallery Manager, John Curtin Gallery.
The John Stringer Prize is a non-acquisitive, annual award aimed at recognising and supporting outstanding Western Australian visual art practice and is generously supported by The Collectors Club and the Kerry Stokes Collection.
Photos L-R from top by Brad Coleman, John Curtin Gallery: Fiona Gavino, Curtis Taylor, Fiona Gavino, Peggy Madij Griffiths, Curtis Taylor, Mark Tweedie, Liz Forbes President of The Collectors Club and Christ Malcolm, Director of the John Curtin Gallery. Special thanks to the judges and Anna Louise Richardson.
So wonderful to see so many members of the Collectors Club at our two recent events. It’s great to start meeting – in person – some of our John Stringer Prize Finalists and it seems that WA’s isolation is continuing to nurture some incredible talent.
Firstly, congratulations to John Stringer Prize finalist, Peggy Griffiths, for the Cultural Adornment and Wearable Art Award – co-presented with The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation 2020 (DAAFF). The Inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards announced the 2020 winners on Wednesday 5 August 2020.
Enjoy getting out and about to view some engaging work on show. Here are a few suggestions:
PICA: Hatched
PICA is holding their annual HATCHED, featuring the work of 24 recent graduates from every state and territory. It’s an excellent snapshot of the nation’s emerging contemporary art trends.
Closing 18 October 2020
https://pica.org.au/visit/
John Curtin Gallery: 50FIFTY:2020
Make sure you get to the John Curtin Gallery to see 50FIFTY:2020.
It highlights 50 of the 100 artworks that were acquired during a three-year initiative to increase the gallery’s collection.
Closing16 October 2020
https://jcg.curtin.edu.au/
Art Collective: Historical Remnants
Art Collective continues their outstanding support of Western Australian visual artists with their current group exhibition: Historical Remnants – a presentation of the way specific sites and monuments can be memorialised.
Closing 22 August 2020
https://artcollectivewa.com.au
Wander out Yonder And if you respond to the call of Wander out Yonder, here are some regional gallery offerings:
The Vasse Felix, Holmes à Court Gallery has a group show with the central theme of Fibre: a celebration of stitched, threaded ripped, folded and pressed fibre art including works for two of our nominated JSP artists, Curtis Taylor and Susan Roux.
Closing 20 September 2020
http://www.holmesacourtgallery.com.au/article/fibre-25-june-20-september-2020-vasse-felix
Bunbury Regional Art Gallery: Noongar Country
Bunbury Regional Art Gallery is always worth a visit. It’s currently showing NOONGAR COUNTRY: a true celebration of community.
Closing 23 August 2020
https://www.brag.org.au
Kindly compiled and brought to you by Collectors Club Committee Member Shelley Long.
Image credit: Peter Blaxell.
Just because we’re self-isolating and doing the right thing doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy our passion and love of the visual arts.
I am also heartened by The Collectors Club decision to continue with our annual John Stringer Prize and hopefully, we can all be together for the exhibition and prize presentation at the end of this year. Our support for this prize and the artists has never been more important. The Club is working on a format to bring the artist and their work to you along with fantastic opportunities to purchase their work.
So many galleries, both public and private, local and international, have been working away to provide us with opportunities to view and engage with artists and their work.
The following are some suggestions:
www.sullivanstrumpf.com click on their online viewing room
https://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/ Destiny Deacon in their online viewing room
www.alcastongallery.com.au Barbara Mbitjana Moore online viewing room
www.niagaragalleries.com.au Blue Chip group exhibition
The Art Gallery of New South Wales has gone all out with a daily online programme called Together in Art which is launching next Saturday and includes new art commissions, interviews, pocket exhibitions and online art-making workshops for adults and children.
The National Gallery of Victoria is presenting virtual tours. Keith Harting and Jean-Michel-Basquiet virtual tour is starting April 4. They also have 90% of their collection online.
Google Arts and Culture allows you to explore galleries and museums from around the world. It’s a fantastic website.
And in the area of performing arts the WA Opera company is to be commended for their Ghost Light opera series featuring local singers with a new one being broadcast at 7.30 every Saturday night. Free to view anytime.
I would love to hear any further suggestions from members [email protected]
Shelley