Parke’s pics part of Gallery reopen

THE Art Gallery of Ballarat has opened its doors to visitors again, showing old, new and extended pre-existing exhibitions.

Director Louise Tegart said Trent Parke’s WW1 Avenue of Honour series features “supremely stunning” photographs.

“Trent is an internationally recognised Australian photographer…and he’s produced a really poignant series of works that haven’t been seen in Ballarat before,” she said.

“The Avenue of Honour is something people in Ballarat might see most days, or they’re familiar with it, but why it’s there or what it means might not resonate when they drive past.

“He’s focused on individual trees, and he has also done research on each soldier that the trees commemorate.”

Ms Tegart said those pulling over to take a look at the Avenue wouldn’t get the level of information Parke has collected.

“His research talks about where they were born, where they came from, and perhaps some notes from the National Archives of Australia’s files that might share eye-witness accounts about how they died.

“The images will make people look at the Avenue of Honour in a different way,” she said.

The David Noonan Stagecraft exhibition has been extended until early-2021. It opened just prior to the first COVID-19 lockdown.

Ceramicist Ruby Pilven and painter Madeleine Cruise’s collaborative show The Golden Pantomime continues, as does Pitcha Makin Fellas’ Aussie rules football-themed exhibition Join the Club.

Mairin Briody’s Signal is still viewable in Backspace Gallery.

Printmaker David Frazer’s Another Night on Earth showcase is up, as are series of video works by collaborative filmmakers Tracey Moffatt and Gary Hillberg.

Some rehanging of the permanent collection has taken place in the gallery’s upper level, and an upcoming celebration of Federation University’s 150th anniversary will champion the art of its past and present staff and students.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming visitors back to the gallery and would like to remind them that entry is free,” Ms Tegart said.

“It’s a nice place for respite from what’s going on in the rest of the world at the moment, and we’re taking serious safety precautions.”