2016 Imagine Awards Catalogue
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The IMAGinE Awards are an initiative of Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW), developed in collaboration with Regional and Public Galleries of NSW and Museums Australia NSW. M&G NSW is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW and is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Contents Message from the CEO 3 Exhibition Projects 4 Exhibition Projects Galleries 6 Exhibition Projects Museums 20 Sustainability Programs 26 Engagement Programs 30 Individual Achievement 44 Image Credits 48 2 Message from the CEO Let me say from the outset, in celebrating the 2016 award winners, we acknowledge every nomination equally. They all reflect the vitality and exciting activity generated by NSW museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres state-wide. This year we received 68 nominations across all categories. Showcasing the incredible commitment and innovative work that exists throughout the museum and gallery sector in NSW, picking winners was indeed a difficult task. It is pleasing to see an increased interest in the Engagement Programs category and in the number of submissions from artist-run galleries and smaller galleries with less than two paid staff. We have also seen an increase in the number of nominations from larger institutions, in both the Engagement Programs and Exhibition Project categories. The judges were again impressed with the competitiveness and overall quality of entries. In general, all nominations showed deepening levels of regional collaboration and a sophisticated understanding of the growing need to embrace sustainable practices and audience participation. A highlight this year has been the impressive number of nominations for Aboriginal lead projects and programs, with nine nominations submitted, which is a significant increase on previous years. There would be no celebration of your successes without the support and investment from the NSW Government through Arts NSW. Their commitment to the visual arts, heritage and Aboriginal program sectors is significant, and remains integral to regional development and cultural growth, and this too is something worth celebrating. Our partners in IMAGinE, Regional and Public Galleries of NSW and Museums Australia NSW also provide significant support across the industry, so tonight let’s also acknowledge each other as well as the award recipients in a continued state- wide partnership. Join with me in congratulating all nominees, partners and funders, and celebrate IMAGinE in the spirit of its name: Inspiring Museums and Galleries in Excellence. Michael Rolfe, CEO Museums & Galleries of NSW 3 Exhibition Projects Nominations in the Exhibition Projects category are required to demonstrate innovative design and approach to significant permanent or temporary exhibition projects. We seek examples with strong community and audience particpation; projects where partnerships were key to their development; and where publications and resources were produced in conjunction with an exhibition. Exhibitions that gained significant media attention are also encouraged. This category makes a distinction between museum and gallery practice. Within each area of practice one award is given in each of three groups: volunteer-run organisations; those with 3-10 paid staff; and those with more than 10 paid staff. 4 Exhibition Projects Volunteer or up to 2 paid staff Volunteer or up to 2 paid staff Bega Valley Regional Gallery Cowra Regional Art Gallery Flora Australis: Australian Artists Afterdark Cowra and the Floral Still Life For one night only, renowned Australian photographers and several photomedia creatives This exhibition drew upon the Art Gallery of New from the region had their work unveiled at this South Wales’ (AGNSW) historical collection to unique photo media experience. present floral still lives from Australian masters. Contemporary artists known for their work in Using a slideshow format each artist had 20 the genre were also invited to participate. The images shown for 20 seconds. Each body of work resultant exhibition surveyed the past 100 years was accompanied by a short presentation by of depiction of the floral in Australian art. either the artist or curator, allowing the audience to gain better insight into the works. The two By forming partnerships with local tourism bodies and a half hour event was a visually immersive and strategically aligning the exhibition with the experience, showcasing 450 photographs by 20 Four Winds Festival, the Gallery created a targeted leading Australian artists from the region. marketing campaign across the region. This resulted in a record attendance of over 5,000 visitors. Artists included; Jon Lewis renowned for depicting snapshots of everyday life with warmth and The inclusion of historically significant works from humanity, Gordon Undy whose meditative studies the AGNSW collection with connections to the of the Australian landscape have been exhibited local area helped audiences develop a renewed widely in Australia and overseas, and Marco Blok pride in their civic facilities. The exhibition a seasoned documentary photographer who showcased the region as a culturally active and spoke about his street photography and urban life. vibrant destination and introduced regional audiences to contemporary artists. A number of complementary access and learning programs were held both in the gallery and around the local area. 6 Galleries Volunteer or up to 2 paid staff Volunteer or up to 2 paid staff Fairfield City Museum & MOP Projects Gallery On the turning point of becoming Talk the Change/Change the and returning Talk: an exhibition of Aboriginal This exhibition drew upon ideas presented in the self-determination iconic Japanese Ikebana text by H.E. Davey where he suggests that, “In Kado (Ikebana), one finally Featuring Aboriginal artists from Western Sydney observes a flower in a state of such heightened and beyond, this exhibition tells an urban story of awareness that.. in that instant, one realises the survival and self-determination. Curated by Blak essence of existence in a single petal poised Douglas and Lena Nahlous, it uses art as a voice between life and death.” More broadly, this to communicate Aboriginal culture—making the exhibition examined the possibility of using flowers message as accessible as possible. as subject and object in the context of the gallery, and how in this context their role, relationship, This is the first exhibition produced by the Gallery value and social meaning is questioned. that combines multiple modes of storytelling, contemporary art, film, oral histories and music Artist Anna McMahon, in collaboration with to celebrate the strength and survival of our local Queensland based artist Sarah Ryan and chef Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Claire Van Vuuren (head chef of Bloodwood, These mediums combined to present Indigenous Newtown), held a social practice centred dinner peoples’ constant resistance and struggles for and art experience called The Floral Gift to recognition, social and political change. accompany the exhibtion. This dinner saw guests eat a menu made entirely of flowers. Discussions The project partnered with the Australian Museum were held around the value of flowers, their use and Bonnyrigg High School. Aboriginal artist in the reproduction of plants and their greater Christopher Reid worked with students to create meaning in our life. paintings exploring the themes of the exhibition. This was highly successful as it was the first time some students had engaged and explored their cultural identity in a school setting. 7 Exhibition Projects Volunteer or up to 2 paid staff Volunteer or up to 2 paid staff Peacock Gallery & Auburn Verge Gallery Arts Studio Refuge The Chindians of Auburn This exhibition critiqued current Australian Government policies regarding the treatment Curator Kevin Bathman was born in Kuala of refugees. Lumpur and draws on his own mixed heritage to explore the similarities and differences of people The exhibition content was diverse and with similar stories. This exhibition explored experimental, in part due to the curatorial approach and celebrated the ‘Chindian’ identity—a mixed taken in re-thinking the way art is exhibited. Chinese and Indian heritage—by working with the Katie Green’s play If You Come To Australia was community to tell their stories. transformed into an installation for the exhibition and later performed in full as a fundraising The exhibition features family photos, video and performance during the exhibition program. Friends text that represent the intertwining of cultures, With Deficits projected installation was originally religions and families in the Auburn community presented as a performance for Underbelly and beyond. Public programs included a Arts Festival and was commissioned as a video collaborative performance by choreographer installation for this exhibition. Aruna Gandi and composer Nicholas Ng and a series of creative workshops for families to make Public programs were developed with the intention art works based on photographs in the exhibition. of fundraising and also providing opportunities for action. These programs included a live music Experienced gallery staff were also involved in fundraiser, live theatre performance, group a professional development program; providing discussion, an artist afternoon-tea social with the mentorship to support Bathman as an emerging artists and a zine launch. curator. While the content exhibited was deeply