14 February 2012
A program of fascinating, free talks will be the feature of this Friday evening’s (17 February) celebrations at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery as two stunning exhibitions are unveiled.
STUDIO: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd takes us on an exclusive behind-the-scenes photographic tour of some of the nation’s most acclaimed painters in their studio environments.
Industrial Desire: Detroit Concept Cars explores the secret world of cutting-edge car design in an exhibition of superb quarter-scale models, drawings and film footage.
Visitors to Friday’s opening event, which starts at 6pm, will get to meet and hear first-hand about the exhibitions from special guests STUDIO photographer R. Ian Lloyd and Industrial Desire curator Leon Fitzpatrick.
Australian-born Mr Fitzpatrick studied Industrial Design at Detroit's College for Creative studies, followed by a career in product design, specialising in eco-design, for Motorola in Chicago, as well as designing products, producing videos and art for clients such as Microsoft, XBox, Nike, Dell, Steelcase and Artemide.
Recently returned to Australia, Mr Fitzpatrick’s new projects have included Industrial Design, exploring Detroit’s gothic beauty and iconic futuristic cars.
Mr Lloyd, renowned for his National Geographic work, approached Sydney-based art critic John McDonald in 2003 to work with him on a book about the studios of Australian artists. Over the next three years, the pair travelled 50,000 kilometres together, shot 60 hours of video interviews, and learned more than they ever imagined possible about the way artists think and work.
The result is STUDIO, which examines through large photographic portraits the fascinating detail of the individual artist’s space; whether it be an inner city loft, a kitchen table or the sandy earth of the outback.
The exhibition features 61 Australian artists, including Marion Borgelt, Lucy Culliton, James Gleeson, Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Gloria Petyarre, Luke Sciberras, Tim Storrier, Imants Tillers and Judy Napangardi Watson.
Visitors to Friday night’s opening function can enjoy a complementary supper following the floor talks.
Mr Lloyd will also give a talk at the special early time of 9am on Saturday (18 February) at the gallery’s first ArtChat event for 2012. ArtChat is presented as a valuable professional development opportunity for art students, artists, teachers and other interested members of the public.
Mr Lloyd will talk about his professional practice as a photographer and, in particular, about the STUDIO exhibition project. A complimentary morning tea will follow the free talk.
STUDIO: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd and Industrial Desire: Detroit Concept Cars will be on view from 17 February to 24 March at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, 161 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba (in the same complex as Hervey Bay Library).
The gallery is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and entry is free. For enquiries, please telephone 4197 4210.
STUDIO: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd is an exhibition by R. Ian Lloyd Productions toured by Museums and Galleries NSW.
The regional tour of STUDIO: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd is managed by Museums and Galleries NSW as part of their touring exhibitions program which aims to provide galleries and museums in regional NSW and throughout Australia with access to high quality and contemporary visual art and craft exhibitions.
Industrial Desire: Detroit Concept Cars is presented by artisan in partnership with the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, and toured by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland.
