Country Arts SA recognises that we are living and creating on First Nations Lands and we are committed to working together to honour their living cultures.
‘Jumping Fences’ in Melbourne
‘Jumping Fences’ opening in Melbourne
Lis Jones Ingham, volunteer Curator and Exhibitions Coordinator at the Burra Regional Art Gallery had an idea in early 2012 to develop an exhibition which would boost artists over some of the hurdles of living in country South Australia.
Lis then contacted artists living on the Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Mid North of South Australia. Lis says “I saw a lot of creative activity choked up in its own region, much of it virtually unknown outside. I realised how well positioned Burra Gallery was to bring regional artists together and take them further in desired directions. Jumping Fences is an exhibition of landscape works that responded to these challenges.”
The “fences” include Spencer Gulf, a body of water which separates South Australia’s settled areas from each other and the South Australian/Victorian border, a line on the map that separates regions. “With these divides comes a mindset of isolation” says Lis. “The exhibition was an attempt to answer these challenges and celebrate the unique qualities of the work”.
Lis worked with a mix of experienced and emerging artists to encourage the sharing of ideas and skills between participating artists.
Many emails, road trips and phone calls later Jumping Fences, the landscape exhibition was realised with a highly anticipated opening at the Burra Regional Art Gallery on Saturday 2 February 2013. Jumping Fences was exhibited at the Burra Regional Art Gallery from Thursday 28 February to Wednesday 1 May 2013.
John Neylon, art reviewer and curator was engaged to bring attention to the artists and their works as a serious foray onto new ground. His essay enhances and clarifies the concept of clearing barriers that the exhibition promotes and places artists’ work in context with the landscape they inhabit and love.
Jumping Fences then journeyed to Melbourne opening on Saturday 25 May at the 69 Smith Street Gallery in Fitzroy. The exhibition was on display in Melbourne from Wednesday May 22 to Sunday June 9 2013.
Lis says “It has been good to exhibit the works in Melbourne in the midst of all the creative ferment that is Fitzroy. Viewed as ‘art from the other side’ the exhibition was well received with sales of works by artists Cindy Durant, Neil Hann and Marek Herburt. Never let it be said that we fence ourselves in.”
For more information on Jumping Fences contact:
Lis Jones Ingman
Curator and Exhibitions Coordinator, Burra Regional Art Gallery
p: 0405 412 991
All images courtesy of Kerry Youde, Burra RegionalArt Gallery