This summer’s pop-up exhibition marks a watershed moment for the PICES art group as it moves to the purpose-built gallery at Berninneit. By Warren Nichols
“ART should astonish, transmute, transfix,” declared Brett Whiteley. Since 2020, Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space (PICES) has been dedicated to “bringing contemporary art to the Bass Coast and connecting to the wider region” (PICES’ vision), so far showcasing 99 artists across various visual mediums.
As the 5th annual Pop Up Exhibition approaches in 2024, PICES is set to exhibit 27 artists, nine of whom have not shown their works on Phillip Island before.
“ART should astonish, transmute, transfix,” declared Brett Whiteley. Since 2020, Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space (PICES) has been dedicated to “bringing contemporary art to the Bass Coast and connecting to the wider region” (PICES’ vision), so far showcasing 99 artists across various visual mediums.
As the 5th annual Pop Up Exhibition approaches in 2024, PICES is set to exhibit 27 artists, nine of whom have not shown their works on Phillip Island before.
February, too, brings an exciting initiative, PICES in Focus, spotlighting three distinguished artists – Mae Adams, Andrew Kasper and Mark Schaller – who will celebrate weaving, sculpture and painting in a two-week exhibition.
Staying true to its mission, PICES features emerging talents alongside established artists. Imagine Melinda Holt, a painter, exhibiting alongside renowned ceramicist Owen Rye, or Gayle Margaret, a weaver, sharing the space with Marlene Abela, a glassmaker of long standing. This mix of emerging and established artists also includes pairings like Ken Fisher, an encaustic painter, alongside noted printmaker Kylie Watson, and Tamara Bailey, a photographer, exhibiting next to Scott McFadden, an established painter and sculptor.
Staying true to its mission, PICES features emerging talents alongside established artists. Imagine Melinda Holt, a painter, exhibiting alongside renowned ceramicist Owen Rye, or Gayle Margaret, a weaver, sharing the space with Marlene Abela, a glassmaker of long standing. This mix of emerging and established artists also includes pairings like Ken Fisher, an encaustic painter, alongside noted printmaker Kylie Watson, and Tamara Bailey, a photographer, exhibiting next to Scott McFadden, an established painter and sculptor.
PICES relishes the challenge of representing artists from both near and far. Travelling over 1500kms, I stepped into the private worlds of artists. A trip to the Dandenong Ranges took twice as long as usual as “Dolly” directed us (I suggested Sandra come on this one country drive with me) to gravel roads and closed off fire trails. When we eventually arrived at the artist’s studio, we were rewarded by the stunning rural and Western Port views, and an appreciative empathy for our navigational efforts.
For a Brunswick visit I couldn’t risk being lost in the traffic so I took the train from Melbourne. Arriving early, I wandered the narrow, concreted laneways, a world of fresh food markets, wholesale distributors, repair yards, the ubiquitous coffee shop and, as I soon learnt, artist studios.
For a Brunswick visit I couldn’t risk being lost in the traffic so I took the train from Melbourne. Arriving early, I wandered the narrow, concreted laneways, a world of fresh food markets, wholesale distributors, repair yards, the ubiquitous coffee shop and, as I soon learnt, artist studios.
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From a farm-based studio in the hills south of Traralgon, this time accompanied by Clem (PICES’ invaluable gallery assistant), we waved goodbye to the goats and returned via the Tarra-Bulga National Park (more narrow, gravelled forestry roads). At Agnes, and at Foster, we were greeted by previous exhibiting artists, now old friends, as I delivered their images from the Hoard pop-up that surrounded the Cowes Cultural Centre construction site. We talked art, travels, PICES, opportunities.
Back on Phillip Island, my visits, albeit less adventurous, were similarly rewarded with an infectious enthusiasm for discussing and exhibiting one’s art. Whether in the studios of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges, the Gippsland hills, the South Gippsland coast, or Bass Coast, I enjoy seeing the environment that fuels an artist’s creativity. Here is a creativity that transcends reproductions that were customarily hung on the lounge room wall. I remain enthralled by the dedication and solitary practice of these artists. Just four years ago PICES held its first summer pop-up exhibition in a prefabricated room in Cowes, kindly made available by PICAL (Phillip Island Community and Learning). Complete with wash sink, fluorescent lighting, windows, an improvised storeroom, tin sheet lined walls, but having purpose-built display screens loaned by Bass Coast Shire Council (and used for the first time), we set up a gallery to show, over five weeks, contemporary artworks by 21 artists. |
Week 1 from Jan 3 John Ansell (photography) Lana de Jager (printmaking) Mandy Gunn (weaving/ construction) Melinda Holt (painting) Anne Mestitz (painting) Owen Rye (ceramics) Week 2 from Jan 10 Marlene Abela (glassmaking) David Bell (painting) Sue Gilford (pyrography) Steve Horswood (painting) Carolyne Jane (painting) Chris Lawry (printmaking) Gayle Margaret (weaving) Ursula Theinert (painting) Week 3 from Jan 17 Chris Farrell (painting) Ken Fisher (painting) Wendy Habraken-Flack (drawing/printmaking) Jillian Mitchell (photography) Michelle Osabutey (ceramics) Mick Turner (painting) Kylie Watson (printmaking) Week 4 from Jan 24 Tamara Bailey (photography) Adam Cox (ceramics) Scott McFadden (painting/ sculpture) Marian Quigley (painting) Amanda Thompson (printmaking) Kim Wood (painting) |
From a make-do gallery for its first four pop-up exhibitions, PICES is about to transition into the new and exciting exhibition environment of a purpose-built gallery at Berninneit. Ambience, gallery lighting, sound systems, wi-fi, security, storage, and almost three times as much hanging space offer every opportunity to display works at their best. A wonderland, I say, a space that justifies showing the best in contemporary art.
In recognition of PICES’ purpose (“building the regional identity as one that is identified with the arts”), and its advocacy for a purpose-built community gallery, PICES is very proud to partner with the council in presenting its 5th Pop Up Exhibition and to be the first local community organisation to exhibit in the gallery.
As Berninneit’s doors swing open, marking the end of celebrations, the anticipation is palpable. Expectations are soaring for art that astonishes, transmutes and transfixes.
Warren Nichols is curator of the 2024 PICES Pop Up Exhibition.
In recognition of PICES’ purpose (“building the regional identity as one that is identified with the arts”), and its advocacy for a purpose-built community gallery, PICES is very proud to partner with the council in presenting its 5th Pop Up Exhibition and to be the first local community organisation to exhibit in the gallery.
As Berninneit’s doors swing open, marking the end of celebrations, the anticipation is palpable. Expectations are soaring for art that astonishes, transmutes and transfixes.
Warren Nichols is curator of the 2024 PICES Pop Up Exhibition.