Colour, light and things at M16
There are three new exhibitions showing at M16 that ''consider how we relate to our material world, presenting work that share a fascination for objects, moves us to pause for a moment, captures and preserves time''. In Beneath the Surface, Tiffanie Brown, Peter Ranyard and Peter Rohen explore their mutual preoccupation with particular objects, with three distinct bodies of work that ''draw attention to things often overlooked and elevate the most commonplace and pedestrian object to a thing of beauty''. In Colour and Light, Andrew Smith, in his first exhibition, presents large canvases that ''capture the ever-changing landscape in an impasto style. The carefully observed local landscapes capture shifts in light and shadows throughout the seasons and even throughout the day.'' And in aether, Jen Fullerton, Llewellyn McGarry and Dierdre Pearce explore the materiality and beauty of ephemera. ''Through using transitory materials such as paper, plaster and string, they challenge the anticipated permanence of the art object. The resulting works collect and/or preserve moments in time.'' An afternoon at M16 will be an afternoon well spent. Beneath the Surface, Colour and Light and aether are showing at M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, until April 13.
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Figure and memory at Beaver
Two amazing new shows opened this week at Beaver Galleries. Well-known painter, printmaker and sculptor Graham Fransella continues his exploration of figure and landscape, ''allowing any perceived meaning to emerge after the work is completed''. Israeli artist Avital Sheffer creates ceramic forms inspired by her heritage. ''Incorporating ideas from ancient ceramics, glass, metalware and calligraphy, Avital's vessels exhibit a personal and cross cultural engagement with the landscape and languages of that part of the world,'' the gallery says. And there's another afternoon all taken up, to lovely effect. Figure and Landscape, by Fransella, and Edge of Memory, by Sheffer, are showing at Beaver Galleries, 81 Denison Street, Deakin, until April 15.
Glass trees
Autumn is the season when Canberra's celebrated trees really come into their own. How fitting, then, that a new show at the Canberra Glassworks is also celebrating trees, with 25 significant glass artists making responding to trees in their many forms. ''A selected group of artists were challenged to respond to the theme of the tree and they were posed many questions: How long have they been on Earth? How did they evolve?,'' the Glassworks says. ''The resulting exhibition is full of texture, pattern and colour. The tree is considered figuratively, within the Australian landscape and as a metaphor.'' And all in glass, too! The Tree is showing at Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, until May 8. There will be a free floor talk at the Glassworks today at 10.30am.
Unmade Edges
The Centenary was never really supposed to just end with 2013, and here's proof. One of the celebratory projects last year involved 14 artists participating in Portrait of a Nation: Unmade Edges; Distinctive Places, which brought them into the ''villages'' that surround Canberra - Hall, Oaks Estate, Pialligo, Stromlo, Tharwa and Uriarra - to create art projects relevant to each community. The artists have now come together at the Belconnen Arts Centre to review and display their work, which involved interviewing residents, working with historians and conducting their own research. The art works involved photography, installation art, projection, paste up, sculpture and green waste furniture to create works that were inspired by, and in turn, inspired the communities. Portrait of a Nation: Unmade Edges opens at Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, on April 4 and runs until April 17. There will be a chance to meet the artists on April 13 at 3pm. The exhibition is part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.
Little bird
Also at Belconnen, children's books author Mimi King presents the original acrylic paintings created by Lindy Longhurst for Mimi's book, A Little Bird Told Me. ''Together the text and the artwork are an expression of both Mimi and Lindy's desire to bring pleasure and to promote contemplation in both adults and children,'' the centre says. Mimi will be running children's workshops and exhibition tours during the school holidays, and copies of the book will be available to buy during the show. A Little Bird Told Me is opens at Belconnen Arts Centre on April 4 and runs until April 17. There will be a workshop for 5-12 year-olds on April 15, from 10am-noon.
Skates in Tuggeranong
Skateboards are great for all kinds of things, like moving plants and furniture, and as canvases for art works. A whole stack of local artists have banded together with students from Tuggeranong Arts Centre's Messengers Program to create Deck Art - an exhibition of repurposed skateboards. Artists include Alexander Boynes, Robert Boynes, GW Bot, Mariana del Castillo, Anna Eggert, Annika Harding and eX de Medici, among others. The works are all for sale, with funds going to the centre's Messengers Program, which promotes ''youth resilience, personal development and creative expression'' among high school students. Deck Art opens at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway, on April 3.
Mildenhall recollections
And the Centenary wasn't the only time to look back on old photos of Canberra - we can, and should, do that any day. Our own editor-at-large Jack Waterford will be speaking at the National Archives of Australia next weekend, recalling how our city surfaced from what were, to some, perfectly serviceable sheep paddocks. Jack will be sharing his personal admiration for the photographs and their creator, discussing Mildenhall's role in documenting Canberra's foundation years, and what the stories tell us about Canberra as move into our next 100 years. Waterford will be speaking at the National Archives, April 6 at 2pm. Entry is free but bookings are essential, naa.gov.au.
Mostly Unobserved in Manuka
Jemima Parker is an artist who frequently stops to take in her surroundings, and notice the beauty of everyday scenes. In fact, she has produced an entire body of work based on these observations, as part of a six-month studio residency at Canberra Contemporary Art Space at Gorman House. Her new exhibition includes works on paper, as well as what will be a week-long journey as she sets about transforming a wall in the gallery into an art work. Parker will create a work, adding to it day by day, and give visitors the chance to see how labour-intensive her art is. The exhibition will culminate with a special showing of this new work before it gets covered back up with white paint, ready for the next show. Easy come, easy go? See for yourself. Mostly Unobserved, by Parker, opens at Canberra Contemporary Art Space, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka, on April 3 and runs until April 13.
