ATONG ATEM, JANET LAURENCE, HAYLEY MILLAR-BAKER, MEL O'CALLAGHAN

In gallery one, we proudly present a curated selection of Atong Atem’s profound and thought-provoking photographs from her acclaimed series, Banksia (2022). First commissioned by Rising Festival in Melbourne as a film, this work explores migrant experiences from a non-colonial perspective. Atong Atem delves into the untold narratives of Australia’s first African settlers, offering a fresh perspective that transcends the colonial lens. Atem’s exploration of migrant experiences invites viewers to reevaluate the historical shaping of national policies, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and identity. Moving into gallery one, we are delighted to showcase the journey through various realms of knowledge in Mel O’Callaghan’s major new painting titled, I see that I’ve never told you how I listen to music (2023). Drawing inspiration from literature, scientific research, and memory, O’Callaghan’s works intertwine gesture, resistance, and permanence. By engaging a performative, mediative and sometimes playful approach to the creation of these works, O’Callaghan has developed a unique texture in her paintings which invite reflection on the interconnectedness of the human experience.

In gallery two, we are honoured to present Hayley Millar Baker’s striking photographic series, I’m The Captain Now (2016). This collection offers a compelling Indigenous perspective on faith, spirituality, and social justice. By reimagining personal histories and merging them with familial archival imagery, Baker presents alternative narratives that challenge preconceived notions. These visually captivating compositions encourage viewers to critically engage with the intricate complexities of growing up Aboriginal in a contemporary urban culture. In room two of gallery two , Janet Laurence’s breathtaking series, Ice has a Memory and the Colour is Blue (2022), takes centre stage. Inspired by her expedition to Casey Station in Antarctica as one of the esteemed Australian Antarctic Division’s Arts Fellows, Laurence captures the essence of change by infusing melting ancient Antarctic ice with rich blue pigment. The resulting artworks beautifully depict the fluid movements, delicate transitions, and captivating shapes of this vulnerable environment, inviting profound contemplation on the pressing issue of climate change.