Artistic vision on display as exhibition marks 18 years

A NEARLY 2m-high sculpture of King Kong scaling Big Ben is among more than 130 artworks drawing crowds to the Rachinger Gallery.

The playful piece, created by Corio artist Peter Brach, is a standout in this year’s artX Regional 2026 exhibition.

Now in its 18th year, the event has become a vital platform for artists with disability or lived experience of mental health challenges across Geelong and south-west Victoria.

For Brach, the sculpture represents a year-long creative commitment through disability support service genU’s Cox Road art program.

 

“I come to Cox Rd nearly every day to do different activities,” he said. “Tuesdays is art program, but I also love bowls on Thursdays and men’s club on Mondays. They are all fun.”

The exhibition features diverse entries judged by a panel of local experts, including representatives from Geelong Gallery and Boom Gallery.

First place was this year awarded to Hamilton artist Mason Laurence for his piece Sunsets, which judges praised for its dynamic colour contrasts and technical strength.

“Mason’s piece stood out immediately as a technically strong and compelling work,” Lisa Sullivan, senior curator at Geelong Gallery, said.

 

“Mason subverts expectations by challenging traditional ideas of what a sunset looks like through dynamic colour contrasts and subtle tonal shifts.”

genU chief executive Dr Chelsea Tobin said the exhibition is an important celebration of inclusion that also offers the community a chance to support local talent directly.

“Please enjoy the exhibition, explore the artworks and take your time to appreciate the immense talent on display,” she said.

“Many pieces are available for purchase, and buying a piece is a wonderful way to support and empower our artists.”

The artX Regional exhibition is open to the public at the Eastern Hub Community Centre in East Geelong until 22 May.