February Pop-Up Arts Newsletter Already the days are shorter and the sun rising noticeably later in the morning – but what beautiful mornings they are! If there is a theme this month it was unintentional, but identity, culture and the Australian environment are all mixed in here. A selection of uplifting exhibitions and events for your Feb calender to help enjoy the last sweet days of summer…
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EXHIBITION OPENINGS THIS MONTH IN SYDNEY…
Wendy Sharpe. Seeking Humanity. Portraits & Stories of Australia’s Asylum Seekers & Refugees
17 February – 12 March
(A special charity exhibition by Wendy Sharpe, courtesy of King Street Gallery on William, Darlinghurst)
Artist Wendy Sharpe with Antionette and portrait, from Seeking Humanity
Renowned Australian artist, Wendy Sharpe, has painted the portraits of 39 asylum seekers and refugees she has met through programs offered by an organisation called Startts. This exhibition puts a human face to those who have fled situations of great danger in their home country in search of safety in Australia.This is not about politics, but about freedom, opportunity and dignity.
FREE & Open 10am-4pm Tue-Sun
The Muse, Sydney TAFE (cnr Harris & Mary Anne Streets, Ultimo)
www.wendysharpe.com/newfiles/news.html
www.kingstreetgallery.com.au/artist/thumbnail/
www.startts.org.au
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Margarita Sampson. Infectious Desires
25 February – 14 March OPENING Thurs 26 February 6-8pm
SPECIAL EVENT: Artist Salon in the Gallery,
Salon of Infectious Ideas, Sat 14 March 12-5pm
(Enjoy tea & cake & a chat with the artist while she works away stitching in her soft pop-up Gallery Salon)
Artist Margarita Sampson, sewing in her Studio, creating one of the works on show in Infectious Desires
Soft sculpture has never been so colourful and so much fun. Wild, outrageous, sexy, funky, camp, amusing and just damn clever. The artist uses found chairs she carves and workshops, then spends many months sewing and hand stitching textiles she then upholsters to the works. Accompanied by photographs, this is one fab show you don’t want to miss. Sampson has been a finalist in Sculpture by the Sea almost every year from its inception. She has exhibited her extraordinary work around the country and has been invited to exhibit in three Festival(s) of Pacific Arts.
FREE
Stanley Street Gallery, 52-54 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
www.stanleystreetgallery.com.au
www.margaritasampson.com
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THEATRE EVENTS,
OPENING THIS
WEEK IN SYDNEY…
Mayu Kanimori. Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens
10 – 21 February. A ticketed event.
A meditation on love, truth and the nature of photography. This multi-artform work uses photographic projections, video, original music, soundscape, performance and narration. Japanese-Australian photographer and writer, Mayu Kanimori, goes in search of the lost photographs of Japanese photographer, entrepreneur and inventor Yasukichi Murakami – the talk of the town in Broome and Darwin in the early 1900s.A play addressing our collective amnesia of the history of the Japanese in Australia.
Griffin Theatre Co (Stables Theatre), 10 Nimrod Street, Kings Cross
www.griffintheatre.com.au/whats-on
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LITERARY EVENT THIS WEEK NORTHERN BEACHES (SYDNEY)…
Writers Live at Berkelouw Books Mona Vale
In Conversation with artist/writer Tom Carment & photographer Michael Wee.
Discussing their new book, Seven Walks. From Cape Leeuwin to Bundeena
Thursday 12 February. COST $10 ($5 can be redeemed off any instore book purchase)
Tom Carment & Michael Wee on one of the Seven Walks
Book Cover, Seven Walks
If you can make it to this talk on Sydney’s northern beaches, you are in for a real treat. Both Tom and Michael are entertaining and engaging storytellers. And given that both are so busy and often out of the city, it has not been easy to get them both in the same room at the same time. Best to book ahead to make sure you get a seat!
Berkelouw Books, 12-14 Park Street, Mona Vale
www.sevenwalks.com
www.berkelouw.com/events/writers
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COMING UP IN MELBOURNE…
Photobook Melbourne & The Australian Photo Book of the Year Award
12 – 22 February
Cover for In the Folds of Hills, Photographs by Kristian-Laemmle Ruff.
One of the 15 Finalists
Australia’s first photo book festival. This festival will celebrate Australian photographers through exhibitions, workshops, seminars, a book fair and The Australian Photo Book of the Year Award. The best in local published and unpublished photo books will be showcased during the festival. Some of the 15 finalists include wonderful photographers I have worked with – Kristian Laemmle-Ruff (In the Folds of Hills); Ying Ang (Gold Coast); Stephen Dupont (Typhoon); Jesse Marlow (Don’t Just Tell Them, Show Them). Lucky Melbourne!
For full festival details visit their website.
www.photobookmelbourne.org
From African/Australians exhibition by Louise Whelan.
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PREMIER FILM EVENT & Q&A in Sydney…
William Yang. Blood Links
Friday 27 February 6.30pm. Cost $15. Bookings essential.
william yang blood lines
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Pop-Up Publicity & Photography 