Current and upcoming exhibitions at No Vacancy Gallery.
Minela Krupic, ‘No Words’, 2015
Rituals of Belonging (HRAFF)
Artists: Amona Hassab, Suzana Jacmenović, Minela Krupić, Alesh Macak, Linda Studena, Nela Trifković, and Elmedin Žunić
Location: No Vacancy Gallery, Project Space: Tenancy 32, The Atrium, Federation Square, Federation Dr, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Exhibition Dates: Tuesday 10 May to Sunday 15 May
Rituals of Belonging showcases an immersive visual, sound and performance experience from Australian contemporary artists and refugee perspectives. This exhibition explores and unravels memories of culture abandoned and reformed within an Australian context. Against the backdrop of current global refugee migrations, this exhibition looks at issue of dislocation nostalgia and home. The artists encourage the audience to question whether Australian xenophobia is sustainable and what the necessary foundations for tolerance, hope and human values are. Rituals of Belonging is presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria in partnership with the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival (HRAFF), No Vacancy Project Space and Federation Square.
Public programs
Friday 13 May, 3pm-4pm (a conversation workshop)
Memory activism on human rights abuse with Suzana Jacmenovic
Sunday 15 May, 4pm-6.30pm (talk and singing workshop)
“Nostalgic Songs from the Rose Garden” with Dr Nela Trifkovic
Drawing on the archetypal themes and symbols of the Balkan, Mediterranean and Ottoman folklore Nela Trifkovic sheds light on “Sevdah” the traditional song of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The talk is followed by an interactive workshop in Sevdah singing (suitable for hobbyists or professional singers or, simply, world music enthusiasts)
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1693358300919457/
Website: please visit http://multiculturalarts.com.au/event/ritualsofbelonging
Perceptions
Artist: Elizabeth Surtees
Exhibition Dates: 10 May – 22 May
Launch: Thursday 12th May, 6-9pm
Location: No Vacancy – QV Gallery, Queen 34-40 Jane Bell Lane, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm
“PERCEPTIONS” is Elizabeth Surtees’ first solo exhibition, exploring artistic perception and emotive thought.
Using people as her canvas, she transforms them and their environment into fantasy, dream-like pieces of art. By mindfully selecting photographers to work with, she captures her vision and brings them to life.
Her work takes weeks of pre-production in her studio and can take up to 12 hours to shoot. From there, Elizabeth Surtees takes it one step further and accompanies her prints with art instillations and sculptural pieces. This gives a whole new dimension to the original work, exploring an alternative three-dimensional view and interactive interpretation.
Her work is thought provoking, emotionally raw and intricate. Even though she says her work is open to interpretation, there is deeper meaning, which she explains in exclusive behind the scenes footage and interviews.
Artist Details: Elizabeth Surtees is bold, colourful and an emotionally honest artist.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/340557356067934/
Artist website: http://www.elizabeth-surtees.com/gallery/
Paper Gardens
Artist: Emma Hewitt
Exhibition Dates: 17 May to 5 June
Launch: Thursday 19 May, 6pm-9pm
Location: No Vacancy Gallery, Project Space: Tenancy 32, The Atrium, Federation Square, Federation Dr, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm
Paper Gardens is a series of watercolour botanical works that explore the transience and beauty of the natural world. Drawing on the history of botanical symbolism, these illustrations imbue each flower with a lavish and ornate beauty that captures a singular moment in time as it subject moves towards death. Each illustration is almost tediously intricate, meticulous in its examination of the physical nature of the subject. Watercolour is used to explore the interplay of light and colour, using pure colour to explore the hues of each subject. By applying such attentive accuracy to the depiction of each subject, the illustrations prompt a celebration of the beautiful miniature of unseen things, and an acknowledgement of the inevitable deterioration of everything around us.
Emma Hewitt is an illustrator, currently living in Perth. Her work is concerned with the meticulous examination of everyday objects, using watercolour and pencil to draw out colour. She explores that which we do not see, imbuing her subjects with a complexity that prompts reconsideration of their beauty and celebration of the seemingly invisible.www.emmachewitt.com
For additional information please visit or contact No Vacancy Gallery at info@no-vacancy.com.au or 03 9663 3798