What's on in the Canberra arts scene, February 3, 2018

Here is Where We Meet is a selection of recent works on paper that use etching, screen printing and drawing, to consider the ways in which we construct timelines and record our daily history with photographs.

The exhibition consists of two bodies of work: one references photographs from places she has visited, taken over the course of a year. The other depicts parachutes and the clouds of dust that erupt as they connect with the earth, signalling the return of a space capsule, and the end of a journey for the individuals inside.

The first reflects her tendency to observe and collect imagery of her surroundings, visual elements to which she frequently returns: abandoned spaces, mid century modern architecture, and objects. While they appear to be chosen at random, they reveal her interests in certain markers of urban habitation, and indicate a need to order and reflect on past moments.

At Form Studio and Gallery, Aurora St, Queanbeyan, until February 25.

Paul Atterbury, from the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, will be in Canberra next week to present a lecture for the Australian Decorative and Fine Art Society. Atterbury, who has been on Roadshow for more than 25 years, will talk about "The Canal Age", exploring the impact upon artists such as John Constable and the architects, engineers and designers who built the 320km of inland waterways to connect the British towns and cities, including manufacturers such as Josiah Wedgwood.

For more details contact the society at adfasmembershipcanberra@gmail.com or 0420 536 409 and leave a message. Individual lectures cost $30 (with refreshments) and annual memberships are also available. 6pm at the Academy of Science Shine Dome on February 5.

Four new showings at M16 Artspace in Griffith opening this week.

If you were buried for a thousand years even you would be priceless - and you have to love that for an exhibition title - features several artists exploring ways of life and living using objects of material culture.

Alex Hobba, Patrick Larmour, Rosalind Lemoh, Darren Nedza, Timothy Phillips, Leila el Rayes and Camille Thomas use various approaches from detached poetic and humorous collection to cataloguing and explicitly personal and immediate expressions. Many of the works have a starting point in familiar items such as shoes, knives, eating utensils, quickly snap pics, protective equipment and tools.

Jenny Lyon's video work Osculate uses close-up footage taken on the Queensland coast, focussing on the spiralling creations and disruption of bubbles in swash.

It is. They Are. from Lauren Butler is a texturally intriguing wall of mixed-media that explores the notion of being present with what is.

And in the fun-filled little Chutespace is Helen Martin's Knit together: shelter.

The Canberra Times' dance reviewer Michelle Potter is off to Wellington, New Zealand, later in the month to deliver the inaugural Russell Kerr Foundation address. Kerr was an early artistic director of Royal New Zealand Ballet and choreographed many works for the company over a lengthy period. Potter's address will reference the diverse career of Wellington-born designer Kristian Fredrikson. Fredrikson worked for the larger part of his career in Australia (for pretty much every major dance, opera and theatre company here as well as the 2000 Olympics) and his papers (which include a vast collection of designs) are in the National Library of Australia.

Potter says "the Russell Kerr address is an amazing opportunity to highlight Canberra's incredible archival collections, especially as, in addition to the NLA holdings, the National Film and Sound Archive holds copies of the several films and television productions on which he worked in the 1980s."

Ceramic artist Sally Walk returns to Suki & Hugh Gallery this month with a solo exhibition entitled Facades.

An avid "people watcher", Walk is fascinated with human nature. This exhibition uses surface treatments of pattern and texture to represent human traits and characteristics. The exhibition comprises a series of unique and elaborate creature-like sculptures and vessels. Some are delicate with frilled edges and fine carved patterns, others are harsh and aggressive with spikes and heavy carved lines. The work resonates with cultural and historical references and is informed by a desire to highlight important yet complex social issues.

At the Suki & Hugh Gallery, Gibraltar St, Bungendore, until March 18.

Looking Out is a joint exhibition of ceramics and paintings by the 2017 Anita McIntyre EASS award recipient Heidi Strachan and 2017 Artist in Residence Jackie Gasson.

This exhibition is the result of two artists' individual responses to the landscape that surrounds Strathnairn Arts Association. Each artist has created works that speak directly of her experiences working at Strathnairn during their respective residencies.

Official opening at Strathnairn Woolshed Gallery on Saturday, February 10, at 2pm, running until March 11.