Winter at the Gallery with Caloundra Regional Gallery
Fill your creative cup this winter with a visit to Caloundra Regional Gallery. Jodie Cameron discovers what’s happening in the local art scene…
Winter is officially here, and the chilly change is perfect for retreating indoors to mosey through some of the Sunshine Coast’s best homegrown talent! From Caloundra Regional Gallery’s artisan gift store to upcoming exhibitions including the Silver Jubilee, Sunshine Coast National Art Prize, and NAIDOC Week celebrations, the Gallery is a one-stop creative hub for local and national leading and emerging artists.
In celebration of NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme of The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, the Gallery’s From the sea, the land and the mountains exhibition will explore and celebrate First Nations artmaking by the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) peoples of the shores and northern hinterland, and the Jinibara peoples of the southern hinterland.
From the sea, the land and the mountains exhibitor and Indigenous artist Kane Brunje’s work explores identity, storytelling, and the intricate relationship between nature and humanity. Kane will showcase portraits of First Nations Elders from across the nation as well as works which reflect a deep connection to his cultural heritage.
“It’s a celebration of culture from the different language nations across the Country, and a time to remember our Elders and the stories they hold and shared,” Kane says. “To share my work on Kabi Kabi Country, with a lot of the stories relating to nearby sites and locations is really special, and allows the audience to view places or see stories they are familiar with, but through a different lens.”
A graduate and exhibitor of the Birrunga Gallery three-year Cultural Creative Development Program since 2019, Kane’s practice combines traditional techniques with modern artistic sensibilities.
“The program develops an artist’s practice; everything is story-based and includes painting, installation, public speaking, curation, and the importance of balance,” Kane explained. “I am the inaugural inductee, so the work we were already doing as a team within the gallery formed my connection to the program.”
A Sunshine Coast local, Kane is now based in Brisbane but still travels back regularly to visit his family and connect to his Country. One of the earliest pieces of work he can remember creating was a pastel turtle from primary school.
“Little did I know at that age I would go on to create more pieces in reference to this – the shape of the shell is actually reminiscent of a rugby league ball,” Kane smiled.
Well-known Gubbi Gubbi / Kabi Kabi artist Zartisha Davis will also share her work, which celebrates the stories passed down to her from her mother and her mother’s mother before her. Zartisha’s work often depicts her saltwater tribe from the Mooloola and Meridian Plains, the shellfish eaters, and she celebrates the shell middens which document time-immemorial connection to lands and people, woven around stories from her family and the Kabi Kabi Nation.
“Art, song, and dance is prominent in my family, and I come from a long line of artists, dancers and song men and women,” says Zartisha, who will exhibit paintings alongside surface-designed fabrics and an art installation.
Celebrating 25 years, the Gallery also invites you to join it for the Silver Jubilee to reflect on 25 years of creativity and cultural impact, while looking ahead to the future of art on the Sunshine Coast. Working with hundreds of artists from Australia to bring art to the community, Caloundra Regional Gallery has curated and hosted an impressive 260 exhibitions. This milestone marks two decades of artistic excellence, including 20 years of the prestigious Sunshine Coast National Art Prize and over 10 local art prizes.
To commemorate this achievement, the Gallery will host a six-day celebration, showcasing a unique exhibition featuring all the previous winners of the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize. This will be the first time these 20 award-winning artworks have ever been displayed together, offering a rare opportunity for visitors to witness the evolution of contemporary art in Australia – the event will also include artist talks, workshops and activities.
Running since 2006, the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize is the region’s premier national contemporary art award, celebrating exceptional 2D and new media art in Australia. This acquisitive prize contributes to the region’s cultural legacy, with 40 finalist artworks selected from nationwide entries offering diverse interpretations of our world through various mediums, from traditional oils, drawings, prints, photographs, assemblages to digital compositions.
Whether you’re looking to wander, workshop or whet your whistle at a gallery up-late event this winter, there’s no better time to visit Caloundra Regional Gallery for a warm cupful of local art with heart!
Gallery Go-To’s!
- From the sea, the land and the mountains until 3 August.
- Silver Jubilee from 6 to 11 August.
- Sunshine Coast National Art Prize from 15 August to 12 October.
For more information about upcoming exhibitions, workshops and what’s on, visit www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
