Event details
Join us for the official opening of three new exhibitions at Town Hall Gallery; major exhibition ‘Australian Tonalism: A Selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection', and community exhibitions ‘Lipwurrunga’ by Les Huddleston and 'The Conservators' by Liam Cushing.
With special guest speaker Doug Hall AM.
Free, bookings encouraged.
Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Please note: a free tour of the major exhibition will take place prior to the opening, commencing at 1pm. For more information and to register, visit our Exhibition Tour - Australian Tonalism: A Selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection page.
About the exhibitions
Australian Tonalism: A Selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection
Discover the artistic legacy of Max Meldrum (1875–1955) in this exhibition showcasing the lifelong dedication of John and Peter Perry to collecting works by this pioneering Australian artist and his influential school. Meldrum, a key figure in 20th-century Australian art, revolutionised the painting scene between the two World Wars, creating a distinctive style that has left a lasting imprint on the nation’s artistic landscape.
The exhibition features a selection of works from a collection of over 320 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and etchings. Highlights include landscapes from both France and Australia, still lifes, portraits and animal studies - all embodying the unique approach of Meldrum and his followers. The ‘Meldrumites’ - a talented group of artists such as A M E Bale, Clarice Beckett, Colin Colahan and Polly Hurry - were deeply influenced by Meldrum’s teachings, and their works are also prominently featured. Many of these artists either lived or worked in the area now known as the City of Boroondara.
'Lipwurrunga' by Les Huddleston
From the shimmering waters of the Roper River, the barramundi’s life unfolds—a dance of renewal and resilience, moving with the tides of nature and tradition. This powerful life cycle is at the heart of ‘Lipwurrunga’, a community exhibition showcasing Les Huddleston’s life and work, offering a vivid tribute to the landscapes, the wonders of nature and traditional stories of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
Through vibrant oil paintings, traditional wood carvings and didgeridoos, this exhibition connects ancient knowledge and practices with contemporary creativity and expression.
‘The Conservators’ by Liam Cushing
‘The Conservators’ by Liam Cushing is a community exhibition presenting a captivating world of miniature figures engaged in the preservation, restoration, and safeguarding of everyday objects.
Through a series of meticulously detailed still life paintings, Cushing creates lively, imaginative scenes inviting viewers to witness the timeless nature of art and the delicate balance between preserving the old and embracing the new.
Liam Cushing is the winner of the 2024 Boroondara Arts Encouragement Award, awarded annually to a local exhibitor in the Camberwell Art Show and recognising excellence in contemporary visual art.
Accessibility at this space
Accessibility features include:
- accessible car parking
- accessible drop-off area
- automatic doors
- accessible toilets
- ramps
- clear signage
- lifts
- quiet areas
- wide passageways.
Image credit: Visitors at the official opening of ‘NAIDOC 2024: Keep the Fire Burning’, Town Hall Gallery, 2024.