Exhibition an art school reunion

A REUNION of three Ballarat University arts alumni is the lynchpin of the latest exhibition at Kank Wolverang Records.

Pen, Paint and Ink: A Vision Ensemble combines the individual approaches of Daria Betley, Buninyong’s Andrew Sutherland and Melinda Williams from Drysdale, showcasing their painting, drawing and printmaking respectively.

Betley said the show is a wonderful blend of disparate styles and personality.

“We’re all very different artists and because of that, it works really well together,” she said.

“They complement each other. We haven’t hung one artist at a time either; we’ve grouped them together and mix-matched so it’s an ensemble.”

The show marks the group’s first time exhibiting as a trio after studying visual arts together at Ballarat University, now Federation University, in the early 1990s.

Betley and Sutherland had previously displayed together in 1999 as part of the II Much exhibition at Grainery Lane.

One of Sutherland’s works comprises three rice paper scrolls suspended from the ceiling to form a triptych of Sutherland’s home in Buninyong.

About 50 works are featured in the show, ranging from Williams’s art nouveau-inspired pieces, to Sutherland’s slice-of-life sketches to Betley’s acrylics combining abstraction and realism.

Betley said the new show is the most substantial exhibition for all three artists in 25 years.

“It’s about being able to prove to ourselves that we can still do it and getting our art out there for people to see it,” she said.

“We’re all at a similar stage in our art process so we’re all feeling confident to be able to do this.

“It’s great all of us are still friends and we’ll be patting each other on the back considering we haven’t really exhibited for a long time.

“Andrew and I were both in Gallery 10 group exhibitions last year but this is much bigger and more sufficient. Mel’s also had a few group shows down the coast and in Geelong.

“It’s a major exhibition for both of us. We’re putting more of our personal creations on the line.”

Pen, Paint and Ink: A Vision Ensemble is on show until 15 March. Kank Wolverang Records is open from 10.30am to 5pm Thursdays to Sundays.