Bekier paints between two worlds

WORK by Russian-Ukrainian Ballarat artist, Tamara Bekier, is the focus of Art Gallery of Ballarat exhibition Between Worlds.

In mixed media pieces, the expressionist painter uses rich colours that contrast, and depicts emotive figures and faces, with an aim to explore the differences between her eastern European origins, and her adopted home country of Australia.

Gallery director, Louise Tegart, said Bekier has lived an “extraordinary and challenging life.”

“It is our vision to be Australia’s leading regional gallery and we see the importance of reflecting the stories and experiences of our community, as well as providing opportunities for local artists to tell their stories through their art practice,” she said.

“Tamara Bekier’s artworks explore her history and experiences during the Second World War as a child and her migration to Australia in the 1950s, bringing together aspects of her life, in a unique blend of cultural influences.

“Her work has been important to her as a way of synthesising aspects of her life and as a way of sharing her experiences with others.

“These are exciting works by an important artist living in our community.”

Bekier was a refugee iin Europe in World War Two, and over time, became the citizen of six different countries as a teenager.

Moving to Australia with her mother and stepfather at age 19, she went onto study fine arts in her late-40s at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education.

Inspired by German expressionists, Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, and Belarusian and French modernist Marc Chagall, Bekier’s work is often biographical, and is part of collections across Australia.

David Hoey directed a documentary about her called Fortunate Life, which aired on the ABC.

The Worlds of Tamara Bekier, an event, will be held this weekend, on Saturday 13 January at the gallery from 2pm to 3.30pm.

It will be a celebration of Bekier and her work, with a launch of a new book, and a performance by composer and pianist Luke Howard. Visit artgalleryofballarat.com.au for tickets.