Book Week comes to life with new exhibition

QUEENSCLIFFE Neighbourhood House Gallery is hosting a special exhibition inspired by Book Week, featuring works from illustrators and school students.

Inspired by Stories, A Special Book Week exhibition will open on August 16 with works from Grade 5 and 6 students at St Aloysius Primary School, who were asked to recreate scenes from their favourite stories.

Local illustrators and authors Sharyn Madder, Sally Wilson, Sam Spry and Jayden Manley are also featured within the display.

Ms Madder has worked previously with Parks Victoria, Cadbury Furry Friends and local councils, with her upcoming exhibition pieces including some story favourites.

“Classics such as Alice in Wonderland and some of the old traditional fairy tales have always been of interest to me,” she said.

“I’ve done many drawings based on the stories that I enjoyed so much as a child, often adding my own twist and a few words.”

For established artist and designer Ms Spry, her inspiration comes from the natural world and First Nations perspectives.

Ms Wilson has had an extensive career that includes stints as a high-profile opera singer and a trauma resolution/peak performance therapist, in addition to her art.

Her works in the exhibition explore what it means to be human.

“More than anything I’d love for my art to be a playful invitation to embrace fun, to rediscover the joy tucked into the ordinary or the frustrating, to notice the light just as much as we notice the dark, to laugh with reality as it is as opposed to what we think it should be,” she said.

Joining the experienced group is 11-year-old Jayden Manley from Point Lonsdale Primary School who already has his own comic book series, which has been turned into a book, e-comics and a set of trading cards.

All works featured in the exhibition will also be for sale.

Inspired by Stories, A Special Book Week will run until September 13.