The Northcote Hysterical Society: presented by David Wadelton

August 7, 2015 - September 27, 2015

Leading contemporary artist David Wadelton presents a selection of paintings and photographs capturing the architecture, people and character of Northcote and its surrounds since 1975. As a play on words, Wadelton began his first blog on the photo sharing platform Flicker and called it The Northcote Hysterical Society. Now a thriving Facebook page, Wadelton invites the viewer to engage and to share experiences and memories in relation to his work via social media. Wadelton captures the essence of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and today, via his visual journey down the High Street and its neighbourhood.

Curated by Cassie May.

ENGAGE - Workshops and Talks

What we do- What we wish

September 2, 2015 - October 4, 2015

Through the use of large colour photographs, Lisa White investigates the power of the sky and its ability to draw us in and allow us to transcend/ escape the present. Using minimal compositions of construction sites, buildings and sky, the works draw upon society’s constant need to construct and de-construct its environment.

This series of work is inspired by Yoko Ono’s story of spending hours with her brother watching the sky and clouds drift past, inventing menus in their heads to counter hunger, during World War 2 food shortages. (Tristan Deratz)

Photography meets Feminism: Australian women photographers 1970s–80s

October 2, 2015 - November 6, 2015

Australian women photographers 1970s–80s will feature vintage prints of important photographs, many of which have not been seen for decades.

During this period of the late twentieth century, photography helped feminism and feminism helped photography. On the one hand, feminists used the highly informative and accessible medium of photography to raise awareness of critical social issues. On the other hand, photographic artists embraced feminist themes as a way of making their practice less esoteric and more engaged with contemporary life. This productive exchange between feminism and photography fostered a range of technical innovations and critical frameworks that radically transformed the direction of visual culture in Australia.

Artists in the exhibition include: Micky Allan, Pat Brassington, Virginia Coventry, Sandy Edwards, Anne Ferran, Sue Ford, Christine Godden, Helen Grace, Janina Green, Fiona Hall, Ponch Hawkes, Carol Jerrems, Merryle Johnson, Ruth Maddison, Julie Rrap and Robyn Stacey.

A Monash Gallery of Art travelling exhibition

Our Studio

October 7, 2015 - November 1, 2015

Northern Support Services is a Northcote-based, not-for-profit community organisation that provides services to people who have intellectual disabilities and autism. This annual arts showcase highlights the outstanding work produced across a range of mediums by the studio’s artists.

The Sangam (confluence) of Belonging

November 4, 2015 - November 29, 2015

Varuni Kanagasundaram’s exhibition The Sangam (confluence) of Belonging explores the visual narrative of the hybrid minorities of the East who are migrants living in the West. Kanagasundaram’s ceramic artwork captures the dynamic nature of those moving ‘in-between’ traditions of East and West, represented as fabric with decorative elements borrowed from both.

Darebin Art Prize 2015

December 11, 2015 - February 21, 2016

Artists from across Australia are presented in this major exhibition where they will be competing for the $10,000 acquisitive prize and $1,000 People’s Choice Award. See contemporary artworks across all media, from painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and craft, through to video and printmaking. Come along and bring a friend to vote in The People’s Choice Award. The Darebin Art Prize is a biennial multi-medium award for excellence in contemporary visual art. Previous winners include Eolo Paul Bottaro, Peta Clancy, Hilary Jackman, Nat Thomas, Sharon West and Warren Lane .

Entries closed 7 September

Judges: Charlotte Day (Director, Monash University Museum of Art), Nick Selenitsch (Artist) and Claire Watson (Curator, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre)