‘Material Reverie’ is a major group exhibition that explores the rich variety of materials contemporary Australian artists use in their practice. Natural fibres, minerals, discarded everyday objects and household items are foraged and upcycled to create new forms that depart from their inherent purpose.
Artists throughout history have created tools, mark making techniques and methods of production to capture their impressions of the world. Using traditional weaving, sculpture and carving techniques, alongside more contemporary approaches to design, collage and painting, the source materials are given new meaning and beauty.
‘Material Reverie’ celebrates the transformative potential of the relationship between imagination and craftsmanship. This exhibition features artworks from the Town Hall Gallery Collection.
Featuring: Robert Brown, Teelah George, Dana Harris, Lou Hubbard, Shigemi Iwama, Cassie Leatham, Jahnne Pasco-White and Louise Saxton.
‘Material Reverie’ is on display at Town Hall Gallery from 20 January to 9 April 2022.
Image: Jahnne Pasco–White, detail from ‘Making Kin’, 2020, natural dyed fabrics (avocado, black bean, sunflower, copper beech leaves, carrot, crab apple), earth pigments, violets, olives, crayon, pencil, recycled paper, linen, cotton, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, three panels; total 213 x 456cm approx. Image courtesy of the artist and STATION. Photography by Christo Crocker.
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Teelah George, ‘Wall Piece’ (front view), 2017-18, thread on linen with bronze, 350 x 360cm, image courtesy of the artist and Neon Parc. Photograph by Rob Firth.
Teelah George, detail from ‘Wall Piece’, 2017-18, thread on linen with bronze, 350 x 360cm, image courtesy of the artist and Neon Parc. Photograph by Bo Wong.
Cassie Leatham, detail from ‘Mon Mungan (healing weave)’, 2020, native grass (Lomandra) and emu feathers, 1m diameter, Town Hall Gallery Collection. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
Cassie Leatham, ‘Clay midden pot’, 2020, pure white pipeclay, emu fat with wattle sap sealer and ochre, Abalone shells, 13 x 12cm, Town Hall Gallery Collection. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
Lou Hubbard, detail from ‘Walkers with Dinosaurs’, 2021, inflatable walking frames, Dino-Chairs, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist and Sarah Scouts Presents. Photograph by Christo Crocker.
Lou Hubbard, ‘Smoker (toy crematory)’, 2020, portable camp oven, Lycra, clothes horse, glass & silver-plated light shade, acrylic painted bulbs, 241 x 120 x 83.5cm, image courtesy of the artist and Sarah Scout Presents. Photograph by Christo Crocker.
Robert Brown, detail from ‘Hub caps from my walks’, 2021, recycled hubcaps, acrylic paint and Posca pens, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the artist and Arts Access Victoria.
Jahnne Pasco-White, ‘Making Kin’, 2020, natural dyed fabrics (avocado, black bean, sunflower, copper beech leaves, carrot, crab apple), earth pigments, violets, olives, crayon, pencil, recycled paper, linen, cotton, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, three panels, total 213 x 456cm approx., image courtesy of the artist and STATION. Photograph by Christo Crocker.
Jahnne Pasco-White, detail from ‘Making Kin’, 2020, natural dyed fabrics (avocado, black bean, sunflower, copper beech leaves, carrot, crab apple), earth pigments, violets, olives, crayon, pencil, recycled paper, linen, cotton, acrylic and oil stick on canvas, three panels, total 213 x 456cm approx.., image courtesy of the artist and STATION. Photograph by Christo Crocker.
Dana Harris, ‘Cura et industria’, 2017, cotton, paper, pen, cord, phosphorescence paint, handmade cedar frames, 13 elements, various dimensions, Town Hall Gallery Collection. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
Dana Harris, ‘Grid 3000’, 2016, hand knitted cotton, steel, 86 x 77cm, image courtesy of the artist.
Shigemi Iwama, ‘Helcyon’, 1992, stoneware and grogs, 41 x 28 x 21cm, Town Hall Gallery Collection, image courtesy of the artist.
Shigemi Iwama, ‘Musing I’, 1994, stoneware and grogs, 40 x 40 x 28cm, Town Hall Gallery Collection, image courtesy of the artist.
Louise Saxton, detail from ‘Wall Garden’, 2016-2017, reclaimed needlework, lace-pins, nylon tulle, acrylic baton, 300 x 192cm, image courtesy of the artist, Gould Creative and Town Hall Gallery Collection. Photograph by Gavin Hansford.
Exhibition photography
Browse the exhibition by scrolling through the image carousel below.
1. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
2. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Cassie Leatham. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
3. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Cassie Leatham and Jahnne Pasco-White. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
4. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
5. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Teelah George. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
6. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
7. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Lou Hubbard. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
8. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Dana Harris. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
9. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
10. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Shigemi Iwama. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
11. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Robert Brown. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
12. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Robert Brown and Louise Saxton. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
13. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Artwork featured by Louise Saxton. Photograph by Christian Capurro.
14. Installation view of ‘Material Reverie’ at Town Hall Gallery, February 2022. Photograph by Christian Capurro.