Friends’ artworks spark curiosity

AN art exhibition 12 months in the making is inviting viewers to observe the world through the lens of artistic composition.

Now showing at Art Space Ballarat, Curiosity of Arrangement combines the talents of five local artists known as Five Friends by Design. One Vision.

They are Colleen Simmons, Selina Morgan, Anne Prescott, Teresa Forster and Suzanne Short.

Each artist presents a unique relationship with structure, balance and form, yet together, their works create a cohesive exploration of how arrangement shapes our perception.

In the end, arrangement is not just about placement – it is about discovery, and the curiosity that drives one to see beyond the surface.

Simmons, an award-winning artist who specialises in creating intricate quilling artworks and exploring diverse mediums like acrylics, inks, wood and glass, said the exhibition title paid homage to the group’s shared artistic curiosity into a dynamic exploration of space, texture and colour.

“We wanted to do something a little bit different, so what we did was we all put in a central piece of artwork and then each artist took something out of the other four pieces to make a completely new piece of work,” she said.

“What we are trying to do is get people to look at art and see if there was something in the artworks that spoke to them, or something that they connected with.

“I feel they are connecting, spending quite a bit of time looking at the artworks.”

Their works, though distinct in style, converge to challenge the way visitors perceive arrangement, creating an immersive experience that invites dialogue between the pieces and their viewers.

While all five artists have been involved in exhibitions previously, this is their first as a group together.

“A few of us are in the Ballarat Society of Artists and have done exhibitions, but this is our first solo, joint exhibition,” Simmons said.

“We are all different mediums – all distinctive styles – but it works.

“We’ve been really happy with the early feedback. The response has been wonderful.”

The 25 featured works – five apiece from each artist – include a diverse array of styles, from quill, watercolour and gouache, to digital and acrylic.

Simmons said it was exciting to see 12 months of planning and creativity come to fruition.

“A lot of things could have happened along the way – and a few things did – but we got through it,” she said.

“We’re ecstatic with how it turned out.

“It’s colourful and bright and when people come in, they can’t help but say how colourful it is in here.”

Curiosity of Arrangement is on show until 6 July.

Art Space is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm, and is located at 14 Lydiard Street North.