Your Invitation

First Class 19
Guan Wei: a case study
Mervyn Bishop

EVENT DETAILS

Friday 14 February 5.30–8.30 pm

Join in the celebrations, meet the artists and chill out to fresh beats by
DJ Wanjun. Refresh yourself at the pop up cash bar.

Evening opening – free entry – music – bar – all welcome

First Class 19

15 February – 5 April 2020–5

Now in its twelfth year, First Class 19 continues to celebrate outstanding works produced by HSC Visual Arts students from the Hunter and Central Coast regions from the previous year. Themes of nature and the environment, memories, family and the importance of culture are distinctive concepts predominant this year. Through the avenue of visual arts, these student bodies of work reveal subjective observations of current concerns such as mental health, climate change, pollution and social injustice.

A MAC project curated by Helen Willis in consultation with Courtney Novak

Top: from First Class 19,  Nicholas Wilson, Merewether High School, A Land of Great Fertility (detail) 2019, digital photography on aluminium, artline pen, ink, copic markers, installation dimensions variable. Image courtesy the artist. Above: Guan Wei Fish God 2017 bronze, 42 x 56 x 62cm. Image courtesy the artist and ARC ONE Gallery © Guan Wei/ Copyright Agency, 2019 Melbourne

Guan Wei: a case study

15 February – 5 April 2020–

In line with our commitment to education and youth programs, we are pleased to present a further exhibition in the popular case-study series. Previous studies have featured Anne Zahalka, Janet Laurence, Ben Quilty, Judy Watson and Fiona Hall respectively. In 2020, the focus is on leading Australian-Chinese contemporary artist Guan Wei, whose sculpture No1 Sky Pig, installed on the Warners Bay sculpture walk, is a favourite. Referencing the HSC curriculum, art educator Carol Carter curates a thought-provoking exhibition with an accompanying case-study publication specifically for senior school students.

A MAC project curated by Carol Carter

Mervyn Bishop Cousins, Ralph and Jim, Brewarrina 1966, gelatin silver photograph 30 x 40 cm. Art Gallery of New South Wales. Purchased under the terms of the Florence Turner Blake Bequest 2008 © Mervyn Bishop

Mervyn Bishop

1 February – 12 April 2020–

Mervyn Bishop is arguably Aboriginal Australia’s most prolific photographer. Through capturing personal images of family and friends, intimate portraits of members of the Aboriginal community, and defining moments in Australia’s political and social history, he has helped shape our understanding of Australia today. This exhibition, which brings together photographs from the Art Gallery of New South Wales collection and material from the artist’s archive, is a celebration of his life and work.

Also on show,

Art in your community: people and places

A MAC exhibition of photographic works by Lake Macquarie-based artists coordinated by Meredith Downes and Meryl Ryan

Special Event

MAC Saturday LISTEN
Artist Talk and Q&A with Mervyn Bishop

15 February 2–4 pm

Join us in welcoming Mervyn Bishop as he gives a fascinating insight into his work and life as Australia’s first Aboriginal press photographer. In 1963 Bishop left his home town of Brewarrina, and ventured to Sydney, where he successfully applied for a cadetship at the Sydney Morning Herald. He went on to work at the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra in 1974, where he covered the major developments in Aboriginal communities throughout Australia. This included his iconic image from 1975 when the (then) Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, poured a handful of earth back into the hand of Vincent Lingiari, Gurindji elder and traditional landowner.

Tickets are $10 and include drinks and catering.

LOCATION

Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie
First Street, Booragul, NSW 2284

PARKING

Free parking is available:

• in the car park next to the Teralba Amateur Sailing Club
• along the foreshore in front of Booragul Public Wharf