Popular exhibition extends gallery visit

Stained glass artist’s work set to stay at Hamilton Gallery for a further month

Due to an overwhelming public response, Hamilton Gallery’s current stained-glass exhibition has been extended to November 27.

Luminous: John Orval, Stained Glass Artist is a major retrospective exhibition of the work by one of Australia’s most significant emigre artists. The free exhibition brings together an exciting array of stained glass windows, cartoons and designs as well as re- discovered footage of Orval in his studio and installing windows in situ, which has been used to create a short documentary.

Distinguished stained glass art historian, Dr Bronwyn Hughes OAM, and Dr Alison Inglis AM, Honorary Fellow, Art History Program, University of Melbourne have co- curated the exhibition, working with Orval’s family to recreate his professional achievements and place him within the broader context of Australian Modernism.

Dr Hughes and Dr Inglis led 70 participants on a bus tour to 6 local churches featuring Orval’s work on September 30, hosted in conjunction with the release of a new Orval Catalogue & Stained Glass Map.

The sold-out tour visited locations in Hamilton, Coleraine, Tabor and Nareen, and included participants from across Victoria and South Australia.

“The extraordinary bluestone interior of Christ Church, Hamilton was a highlight, as was the sunny lunch at Nareen station and the beautiful little white church of St David’s, Nareen.

The finale of the church at Tahara is also of note, with its unique mix of remarkable local and international memorial windows,” Dr Inglis said.

These esteemed academics will speak at a free public forum on Hamilton’s surprisingly progressive and contemporary approach to art in the 1960’s on Sunday October 30 from 10am to 1pm.

‘Hamilton Modernism’ will welcome experts and scholars from across Victoria to the gallery for a fascinating morning of short talks, public discussion and Q&A.

Topics will include architecture, stained glass and public sculpture associated with Hamilton Gallery in the 1960s, including the gallery’s modernist building and the Prometheus sculpture at the entrance.

The exhibition and public events coincide with the 60th anniversary of Orval’s first exhibition in the Hamilton Gallery in 1962; also believed to be the first solo show of a stained-glass artist ever held in Australasia.

Artistic director Joshua White said John Orval’s first exhibition at Hamilton Gallery in 1962 was not only a personal ‘first’ for the artist, being the first time his works were collated and exhibited, but the first exhibition of stained glass anywhere in Australia.

“This was one of the earliest exhibitions held in Hamilton Gallery’s modernist building, and we’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response from locals and visitors alike,” Mr White said.

“We sincerely thank Alison, Brownyn and John Orval’s son, Noel for their dedicated work in bringing this exhibition to life.”

For more information on Luminous: John Orval, Stained Glass Artist and upcoming events, see www.hamiltongallery.org or the Hamilton Gallery Facebook page.