Arts group explores expression

WORKS from nearly half the member base of Golden Plains visual art collective, GP Arts, are currently on display as part of their annual exhibition at Mercure Ballarat.

Titled Expressions, the show features about 70 works from nearly 30 group members and president Jen Jones said the exhibition’s title is in reference to the creatives’ varied outputs.

“We chose the name because we all express ourselves in different ways,” she said.

“We all do different mediums and we have our own styles so the exhibition itself is very diverse.

“We have artists that do mixed media, soft pastels, acrylics, some do ceramics.

“They express themselves in all different ways and their personality comes through so when you look at the artwork, you get a feeling of what the artists are trying to say.”

With about 70 members overall, Jones estimated the group has held their annual exhibition at the Mercure Ballarat for more than half a decade.

“It’s just the perfect venue,” Jones said. “Because Ballarat’s such a tourist city we do have a lot of people that like to come through and see what’s on.

“The gallery space is always so beautiful and it’s a chance for the artists to promote themselves in a top venue.”

For Jones, who’s exhibiting a large soft pastel piece depicting an oceanic seascape, expression means taking a step outside her normal creative comfort zone.

“I’m a portrait artist so it’s not my usual topic,” she said. “This is the biggest work I’ve ever done in pastel.

“I’ve been exploring sunsets and reflections so for me the challenge is getting the sea to look like waves, getting out of portraiture and looking at the roughness of rocks and the colours in the sky and sea.”

Expressions is on show until Sunday 7 July.