2023 Past Exhibitions | Childers Arts Space

Now in its fifth year, the HERE + now exhibition is all about celebrating artists from the Bundaberg region and showcasing our strong and vibrant visual arts community.

HERE + now 2023 is a unique celebration of artistic expression and creativity within our Bundaberg community. This exhibition unites a diverse group of talented artists, each contributing their unique perspectives, styles, and mediums to provide a snapshot of our regional arts scene.

ARTISTS: Alice McLaughlin, Allison Coe, Annette Tyson, Ariela Anderson, Asdiansyajh, Brooke Sutton, Carmel Birchley, Caroline Palmer, Cate Verney, Catherine Schoch, Chelle Bea Blake, Chernee Sutton, Colleen Helmore, David McColl, Debbie Bennet, Donna Lamprecht, Edwina Rowan, Emily Kresew, Gail Mayr, Jassy Watson,  Jesse Sutton, John Andersen, John Olsen, Kellie McHugh, Kerrie Doolan , Kym Connell, Larissa Dabrowski, Lesley Perk, Liz Lennox, Marilyn Murray, Maxine Harwood, Sharon Le Mesurier, Vanessa Allegra, Virginia Hendren.     

This year, Bundaberg Regional Galleries welcomes Shelley Pisani, as Curator of HERE + now. With over 28 years of arts industry experience, Shelley is known as an experienced arts administrator and producer, with extensive involvement in exhibition curation and development.  

Under Shelley’s expert guidance, HERE + now will shine a spotlight on our cultural vibrancy and inspire participation in the arts.

Nature's Therapy
Carmel Birchley + Colleen Helmore + Maggie Spenceley

Soothe the mind and stimulate the senses, three local artists explore the natural environment.

HEAR the water moving, birds calling, and the rustle of leaves.

SMELL the scents of the bush, perfumes of flowers, and the tang of the ocean.

TOUCH soft petals, sharp thorns, rough sand, and cooling water.

SEE the colours and shapes of plants and animals of all sizes - plus enjoy the changing light as it creates bright spaces, and shadows.

TASTE (only when it is safe to do so!)

Nature’s Therapy encourages the viewer to reflect on the ‘artistic snapshots’ captured by Carmel Birchley, Colleen Helmore, and Maggie Spenceley.  In their own unique style, each artist has reflected the beauty of the region, while delivering strong messaging about the environment’s importance to our health and wellbeing.  

By venturing outdoors and taking time to look around, we sense so much more. Our appreciation of the natural environment is deepened. Our heart rate slows. Our physical and mental health improves.  

Our health and the health of the planet are inextricably linked.  

Image 1:  Carmel Birchley, Enjoying The Sunset (detail), 2023, pastel, 52.5 x 42.5 cm
Image 2:  Colleen Helmore, Stephanotis (detail) 2023, watercolour, 70 x 50 cm
Image 3:  Maggie Spencley, Waterfall (detail) 2022, acrylic 52 x 65 cm

Childers Festival: A Retrospective
Childers Festival: A Retrospective tells the story of the Childers Festival from its inception in 1996 through to present day.

With modest beginnings as a food and wine festival under the then Isis Shire Council, the festival has grown significantly and now attracts a crowd of over 40,000 people during its four day program.

Encompassing photographs, anecdotes, memorabilia and publications, Childers Festival: A Retrospective captures the stories behind this successful annual event and provide insight into how it has influenced the arts and cultural landscape of the region.

State of the Art 23
Queensland Quilters Inc. has been exhibiting the work of their members through STATE of the ART Quilt Exhibition (SOTA) since 2009. Each year, 20 to 30 art quilts, created using painting, printing, collage, eco dyeing, hand and machine stitching, are chosen by a judge to be included in the touring exhibition.

The resulting exhibition tours throughout Queensland, and highlights contemporary art practices in quilting.
This year, Bundaberg Regional Galleries is proud to be hosting the announcement of the winners of SOTA 23 at a special launch event being held at Childers Art Space on Saturday 15 April, 12 pm.

With such a vibrant and active quilting and textile community throughout our region, this event is a coup, and an opportunity to engage with quilters from throughout the state.

Refocus
Refocus brings together the artistic practices of three artists - Annette Tyson, Mick Brennan, and Vivien Hillocks. ‘We are three ‘60 somethings’ who retired in 2020, eagerly anticipating a more relaxed lifestyle with plenty of travel and the opportunity to spend more time painting.

Then COVID arrived. International adventures were forbidden, along with long promised reunions with family and friends. Sharing the joy of a wedding or going to a dying loved one’s bedside became impossible.

Art galleries closed, and attending workshops and classes to improve our skills became a thing of the past.’

This exhibition is about the refocusing that occurred for these artists as our global community learnt to live with COVID. The changes in where they found their inspiration, in their engagement with the artistic community, and ultimately the changes in their attitudes and their realisation that despite diminishing horizons, their love of art remained strong.

Image: Vivien Hillocks, Oaks Beach, watercolour on paper, 300 x 420mm