My Sunday’s are currently for art. Mine and other’s. It began with the notion to (try to) attend all four Drop By Drawing events at the National Gallery of Victoria, for two hours every Sunday. I haven’t, in fact missed any. This week I first took at look at the Art of Banksy (see earlier post). Then I had some time, and choices. I could visit John Olsen’s You Beaut Country, or David Hockney’s electronic garden wonderland exhibit. However, in the spirit of Sherlock‘s Dr Watson avoiding men explaining the world, instead, I opted for Who’s Afraid of Colour, featuring an array of works by 118 Australian Indigenous women.

Swathes of colour.

I was extremely happy to say I’m glad I did not miss this. The only proviso is that I need to go again, to spend more time with the works featured in this vibrant, comprehensive, and diverse exhibit. Of course, there was colour, gigantic swathes of colour, but there was also texture, and light and shadow. There was also paint, textiles, fibre, video, and timber. There was tradition and innovation, woven baskets and painted nets, capturing so much significance.

Be ensnared.

I can’t adequately describe nor show my favourite piece, (although I did take this one picture below). I’ll try, though, because if  you can’t get to see it, you shouldn’t miss out entirely. Imagine walking in a room of warmly lit, bone-bright white sea creatures, hanging from the ceiling, casting shadow shapes on the black walls, and on the floor, all around, so you feel a part of something living, yet fossilised, suspended in time and in the air in the cool quiet of this still space.

Who’s afraid of light and shadows?

When I go back, (and I will), it will be for this room, mainly. And for all the art I rushed past, forgetting and then remembering I had to be drawing somewhere else.

Don’t panic though, there’s ages to see this, (ends in mid April) and it’s free. Sadly, however, there is no single and comprehensive official NGV book to go with the exhibit, unlike say Olsen and Hockey. Interesting that. There is, however, an essay on the NGV web page about the exhibition.