By ANDREA LOUISE THOMAS
Pictures: Marion Manifold’s Flowers of the Field (top, 2015) and Laurie Nilsen’s Once Were Fishermen (above, 2014) are just two of the works on display at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. Exhibits include Saltwater Country, Australians Will Be There: Victorians in the First World War and Flowers in the Field: Waiting for the Sunrise.
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery presents a trio of interesting exhibitions this quarter.
In the foyer is Flowers in the Field – Waiting for the Sunrise. In the main gallery is Saltwater Country. Also in the main gallery find Australians Will Be There – Victorians in the First World War.
Marion Manifold is a printmaker interested in identity and women’s’ body image. In Flowers in the Field – Waiting for Sunrise she recognizes women in the Anzac centenary drawing attention to how women served in the field and at home. Coming from a family with a long service history, their stories and experiences have always fascinated her. She is working on a new series of World War One linocuts and will speak at the gallery on May 1.
Saltwater Country is a touring exhibition of contemporary art from Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders showcasing the work of 16 of Queensland’s most acclaimed Indigenous artists. Saltwater Country refers to Queensland’s coastline, sea and waterways. Artists, Vernon Ah Kee, will speak at the gallery on April 26 about politics, race, ideology and how these issues impact his work.
Australia Will Be There focuses on historical photographs and personal war stories to piece together the experience of those who lived through WW1. Tales of triumph and hardship in overseas campaigns and work on the home front offer insights. Exhibition visitors are encouraged to share their own WW1 stories via web link: www.shrine.org.au/Remembrance/Share-Your-Story.
Come to Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery to see these three intriguing exhibitions from 11th March to 1st May.
Book in to hear a talk or participate in one of several public programs at MPRG, Civic Reserve, Mornington. 5975 4395.
