CW brings you the latest in arts and entertainment news from around the Canberra region. Highlights this week include local artists taking out the top spot in the Hornsby Art Prize and a nearby NSW National Park recognised as a hidden gem.
Photographic history in the books
The National Library of Australia Publishing is celebrating the work of a renowned Australian photographer in its new book, Joyce Evans, written and curated by ANU’s former Art History Professor, Sasha Grishin AM FAHA.
The art historian conducted many in-depth interviews with the photographer, which, coupled with his exclusive access to her archives, meant he could provide a unique perspective on her body of work.
Joyce Evans believed that in stillness and silence you can feel the spirit of the subject, something she aimed to capture throughout her impressive career. With more than 18 solo exhibitions under her belt, the artist, gallery director, collector, and lecturer played a pivotal role in Australia’s photographic artscape.
Two of Joyce Evans’ images are on display in Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now at the National Library of Australia until 30 April 2023; nla.gov.au
CIMF 2023 to delight the child within
The Canberra International Music Festival has launched its 2023 program, and it’s packed with 10 glorious days of music making, set to bring Canberra to life next autumn, 27 April-7 May.
Featuring around 150 international and Australian musicians across 28 concerts, the Festival brings the world together through a beautiful common ground – music.
Didgeridoo legend William Barton will share the stage with the Brodsky Quartet from the UK, the popular breakfast series French For Breakfast returns, and acclaimed Ukrainian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk will perform an exclusive solo.
The 2023 theme centres on ‘the child within’ and CIMF artistic director Roland Peelman said: “Through the magic of music, it seeks to find the child inside of all of us.”
Visit cimf.org.au to see the full list of events and venues.
Local artist wins art prize
Canberra-based painter Solomon Karmel-Shann took out the top spot at the 2022 Hornsby Art Prize with his work, A Whispering Flag.
The work depicts a man, who looks remarkably like the artist, walking away from a hill where a red flag sits atop. The young artist says it is thrilling to have received recognition for the deeply personal work that explores change, difficult decisions, and contemplation.
The national art competition celebrates original works of art in printmaking, drawing, 3D works, digital skills, and painting. With a total pool prize of $23,000, Karmel-Shann was awarded $10,000 for his winning piece.
Learn more about the Hornsby Art Prize at hornsby.nsw.gov.au
National Museum welcomes new chair
Ben Maguire has been appointed Council Chair of the National Museum of Australia after acting in the position following the retirement of Warwick Smith in July.
Maguire, a commissioned officer in the Royal Australian Navy, is the director of Remount, a not-for-profit organisation that helps veterans with PTSD through horsemanship. He brings with him experience in strategic leadership, management, and business development skills from his roles in the agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors.
Award-winning historian, author and broadcaster, Professor Clare Wright OAM, joins the chair as a council member, bringing experience from politics, academia and media.
Music among the pages
The Queanbeyan-Palerang Council and Music for Canberra are working together to improve the musical education of children in our region.
Each Wednesday of school terms, children aged between three and seven years are invited to attend the free Music Play program and make as much noise as they like in the usually quiet environs of the Queanbeyan Library. For 45 minutes, the children are encouraged to flex gross and fine motor muscles, explore creativity, and build friendships with their peers.
The council hopes the program will not only help the children progress with their development but to also instil a sense of community in them and the carers who bring them along.
The program is free; however, bookings are encouraged via eventbrite.com.au
ANU researcher educating all ages
From research to writing children’s books, one ANU researcher is hoping to help people of all ages understand the transition to clean energy.
Father and renewable energy researcher, Dr Bjorn Sturmberg hopes his new book, Amy’s Balancing Act, will help families to understand the science behind the transition to clean energy. He suggests some politicians could also benefit from reading the bedtime story.
The illustrated book is an easy read and includes beautiful, engaging pictures that are uniquely Australian, featuring bilbies, goannas and our iconic landscapes. Cool Australia, a not-for-profit teachers’ research organisation, has already created three learning plans based on the story.
To purchase a copy of Amy’s Balancing Act, visit bjornsturmberg.com
Joy, glitter, and creativity
Tuggeranong Arts Centre is ending the year with a bang of creativity in their final exhibitions that bring together collaborative works.
Swoon! We are Dizzy with JOY! by Hands on Studio, which is a leading artist-with-disability collective, led with the principle that art is fundamental to human expression, and everyone is entitled to its tools. Their works explore the self-definition and conversations their artists engage in daily.
Meanwhile, All That Glitters showcases five Canberra artists who have embraced their love for glitz, sparkle, and shine, inviting the viewer to appreciate the surface-level attraction while looking to the depths, wonder, and potential dangers that co-exist with beauty.
Both exhibitions are on at Tuggeranong Arts Centre until 17 December; tuggeranongarts.com
Elvis has entered NFSA
The National Film and Sound Archive has rebooted its Australians & Hollywood exhibition with new items inspired by the King of Rock and Roll.
Costumes created by four-time Oscar winning designer Catherine Martin from Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, Elvis, have been added to the exhibition. The pieces were worn by Austin Butler (Elvis Presley), Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla Presley), and David Wenham (Hank Snow).
The recent additions join the celebration of Australia’s modern success in front of and behind the action on the silver screen.
Australians & Hollywood continues at the National Film and Sound Archive, Acton; nfsa.gov.au
Arts Funding open and expanded
The next round of the ACT Government’s Arts Activities funding is now open with Canberra creatives encouraged to apply.
Applications will look a bit different this time around with new guidelines in place to reflect the Statement of Ambition for Canberra to not only be the nation’s capital but also its arts capital. Screen projects have also been included in the newest round, allowing screen-based artists access to the twice-yearly funding rounds.
Ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, the grants will go to support the creation, development, and promotion of projects across different formats, while also providing mentorship, residencies, and skill or development opportunities artists may otherwise not be able to access.
Applications close 28 February 2023; for guidelines head to arts.act.gov.au
Three decades of portraits
A new major exhibition will be opening at the National Portrait Gallery in March to mark the institutions third decade.
Portrait23: Identity will be installed across four galleries and will be a Canberra exclusive, free to attend. The Gallery has invited contemporary Australian artists and art collectives to respond to the broad concept of identity, exploring mediums of traditional portraiture such as paint, drawing, and photography as well as newer mediums like street art, suspended textiles, performance, ceramics, bronze, and soft sculpture.
The artworks redefine what 21st century portraiture looks like in Australia and will be accompanied by a host of events and a publication by some of the country’s leading authors.
The National Portrait Gallery will host Portrait23: Identity from 10 March to 18 June 2023; portrait.gov.au
Celebrating one of our finest buildings
The National Gallery of Australia has released a new book, Vision: Art, Architecture and the National Gallery of Australia to coincide with the national institution’s 40th year.
The structure was planned during the 1970s in a more open-minded era; however, by the time it was constructed it had become the conventional 1980s. Professor Phillip Goad, an architectural historian, says the building and its sculpture garden has not always been understood or embraced.
The book encompasses a major essay by Professor Goad alongside images that have remained hidden in the Gallery’s photographic archive taken by Australian photographers David Moore and Max Dupain. Inside, readers will also find drawings and plans from the original design through to the construction. The book brings together the beauty inside and out of one of our most iconic institutions.
Vision is available at the National Gallery Art Store and at selected retailers; nga.gov.au
Hidden gem a short drive away
One National Park that has been rated among the world’s three hidden gems is only a 90-minute drive from Canberra.
The study by adventure tour operator, Explore Worldwide, analysed more than 350 experiences from over 130 countries that don’t receive the recognition they deserve. Exploring New South Wales’ Bungonia National Park placed third on the list of underrated experiences.
Australia was the country most featured in the top 10, taking three spots. Melbourne’s Dumpling Walking Tour took out number seven on the list while the Northern Territory’s Keep River National Park held the tenth spot.
Discover more hidden gems at explore.co.uk
Folk Festival Returns
The Easter long weekend in Canberra is about more than a bunny bringing us chocolate – it also means the beloved National Folk Festival is on, returning in 2023 on 6-10 April.
Australian legends The Waifs and England’s Billy Bragg will be headlining the Festival that celebrates all things folk. Some other returning favourites include Canberra staple Fred Smith, ARIA Award-winner Kavisha Mazzella, Jan Preston, The Pigs, and many more.
The Festival is also set to host many of this year’s Folk Alliance Australia Folk Music Award winners. Winner of traditional folk album of the year, Austral, and winner of contemporary folk album of the year, Charm of Finches, are among those to hit the stages. Along with five days of epic music, the poetry, workshops, and stalls for which the Festival is known and loved will also be returning.
The National Folk Festival runs 6-10 April 2023; tickets on sale via folkfestival.org.au
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