Vibrant Matter: Artists in Conversation | TarraWarra Museum of Art

Jon Cattapan Absence Field III 2011 oil on canvas, 185 x 250 cm Acquired 2012, TarraWarra Museum of Art collection

Jon Cattapan, Robert Owen and Yvonne Audette whose works are currently on show in the TWMA feature exhibition Vibrant Matter, will join curator Anthony Fitzpatrick for a lively conversation about the development of Australian abstract art.

Jon Cattapan, who recently won the $80,000 Bulgari Art Award, is renowned for his contemporary cityscapes; Robert Owen, whose work is distinguished by a celebration of geometric colour, represented Australia at the 38th Venice Biennale; Senior Australian artist Yvonne Audette who has been described as Australia’s most dynamic and exciting abstract expressionist, has had over 60 years experience as an artist and is known for lyrical abstract paintings richly layered with marks and symbols.

Date: Sunday 2nd June, 4.00-5.20pm Artists in Conversation, 5.20-6.00pm Refreshments

Venue: TarraWarra Museum of Art, 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Healesville VIC 3777

Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students- event includes refreshments and museum entry

Bookings essential – book online at www.twma.com.au, or phone (03) 5957 3100

About the Exhibition

The TarraWarra Museum of Art (TWMA) feature exhibition Vibrant Matter presents a selection of works from the TWMA collection and specially loaned works from private collections to highlight the richness and diversity of Australian abstraction, both past and present.

It explore the work of artists for whom the ‘facture’ of the painting, the manner in which a work is made, including its line, composition, tone, colour and texture, rather than the use of narrative and figuration, become the primary means to express their insights, emotions and ideas.

Exhibition curator Anthony Fitzpatrick has selected over 50 works for Vibrant Matter by artists including Yvonne Audette, Ralph Balson, John Coburn, Brent Harris, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Hilarie Mais, Lenton Parr, Norma Redpath, Aida Tomescu and Tony Tuckson, among many others, who incorporate formal invention, experiments in process and the use of new materials into their works.

Including a broad range of paintings and sculptures, the exhibition explores how abstraction can powerfully convey complex ideas and feelings including: spiritual and metaphysical concepts and experiences; hidden correspondences and rhythms lying beneath outward appearances; elemental structures and forms; numinous experiences; and psychological transformation.

TWMA Director Victoria Lynn says, “Inspired by landmark works in our permanent collection; this exhibition proposes interconnections between contemporary artists and art of the past. TWMA will pulsate with the rhythms and colours of abstract experiments – geometric, symbolic, fluid and expressionist – from the 1950s to the present day”.