'SHADOW SANCTUARY' - DEBUT INTERNATIONAL SOLO - MARIE GALLERY5 MALTA

Very pleased to announce I’ll be having my debut international solo exhibition ‘Shadow Sanctuary’ with the lovely Maria Galea Gallery owner and Art Advisor of Marie Gallery5 in Sliema Malta opening 3rd Nov 7.30pm. Please feel free to come along.

Maria is a passionate advocate for artists and unstoppable force in the Arts industry in Malta/Europe representing Maltese and international talent. As a Maltese Australian artist I’m super excited and proud to be working with her and looking forward to my upcoming exhibition soon.

…”Just as the the moon needs the sun to reflect light, I need the moon to cast my shadow."…

Louisa Chircop

'Shadow Sanctuary' by Louisa Chircop invites viewers on an evocative journey into the profound depths of the artist's conceptual realm. Chircop's oeuvre is a contemplative fusion of personal experiences, art history, and the intricate tapestry of psychological phenomena. Within this exhibition, each artwork serves as a portal, unlocking the enigmatic "shadows of the self," as guided by Chircop's subconscious wanderings within her inner sanctum, intimately intertwined with her Maltese Australian heritage.

Chircop's artistic inquiry transcends conventional boundaries, daring to explore the intricate facets of the human condition-pain, pleasure, guilt, and shame. Her exploration delves into an innovative interpretation of religious sexuality, an intersection where the sacred and the profane merge to construct a deeply personal tantra. This fusion is a vibrant celebration of the terrestrial, the cosmic, and the spiritual-a form of contemporary self-devotion that venerates the Earth, the universe, and spirituality. Amidst the encompassing corporeal darkness, fragments of illumination emerge, unveiling metamorphosed, reinvented, hybrid, and reborn iterations of the artist herself. This creative rebirth finds its genesis in Chircop's immigrant European lineage, rooted in the resolute traditions of medieval antiquity.

3rd - 22nd November @mariegallery5
For more information


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UPCOMING! 'RECIPROCITY' EXHIBITION AND BOOK LAUNCH AT HAZELHURST ARTS CENTRE - Curated by Caitlin Casey

Not long now before the official opening of our group exhibition ‘Reciprocity’ opens to the public at the wonderful Hazelhurst Arts Centre curated by the amazing Caitlin Casey. The exhibition features contemporary established and emerging ceramicists and painters working together collaboratively and the project was designed as an open-ended conversation between these two artforms. Artists involved: Louisa Chircop, Kiata Mason, Jean McGhee, Tim Allen, Natalya Shinn, Tatiana Wans, Hayley West, Mirra Whale, Charmaine Pike, Ann Thompson and Agatha Pupaher.

To accompany the exhibition there will be a book launch of ‘Reciprocity - The Book’ published through Dr Gareth Jenkins’ Apothecary Archive which also includes poetry of his own accompanied by a contextualising essay written by Curator Caitlin Casey. The book will also contain images of the artists’ collaborations and work. The book provides an intimate view into the practices at play when diverse artists are inspired to make together.

Exhibition opens Saturday 26th June 2021 in the Broadhurst Gallery at Hazelhurst Arts Centre 2-4pm.

Covid restrictions apply. Please RSVP Caitlin Casey: Caitlincaseya@gmail.com

Please see exhibition invite below and accompanying image of the publication which can be purchased by clicking here.

Exhibition Invite

‘Reciprocity -The Book’ published by Apothecary Archive published by Dr Gareth Jenkins and essay by Curator Caitlin Casey.

FINALIST - ADELAIDE PERRY PRIZE FOR DRAWING 2021

What a way to start 2021!

I’ve been selected as a finalist in this year’s ‘Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing’ by one of Australia’s most esteemed and foremost contemporary artists Lindy Lee.

This year, PLC Sydney’s annual Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing received over 480 entries from artists across Australia. PLC Sydney was honoured to have the participation of esteemed artist Lindy Lee, as judge who viewed submissions in January and made a selection of 44 finalists. Lindy will visit the Gallery in February, just prior to the official opening of the 2021 Exhibition of Finalists, to decide upon the overall winner of the $25,000 acquisitive prize. The Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing 2021 Exhibition of Finalists opens at 7.00 pm Friday 26 February.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists in the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing!

Finalist - ‘Self as Water Feature', mixed media and photomontage on watercolour paper, 103cm x 56cm

CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS AT HAZELHURST ARTS CENTRE 20|20

We’ve made ‘The Leader’ and The Shire is celebrating!

Hazelhurst Arts Centre turns twenty years old and is in the spotlight and so am I along with these amazing artists Michelle Cawthorn, Bob Marchant and George Gittoes along with Hazelhurst Art Centre chairman Byron Hurst and 350 artists in Hazelhurst 20|20 a group exhibition curated by Carrie Kibbler opening this month. I couldn’t be prouder to be apart of the Hazelhurst family and to be invited to represent our local regional gallery.

Keep an eye out for the Hazelhurst Exhibition program called Twenty Arty Acts, an online arts program in which I have been invited to contribute along with nineteen other artists. New content will be released each week with art making, videos, instructional activities and more! I’ll also be interviewed for a short feature film documentary about Hazelhurst Arts Centre.

Exhibition opens 21st November 2020 until 31st January 2021 (Free admission daily 10am - 4pm)

See ‘The Leader ‘ news HERE

Picture: Hazelhurst artists and Hazelhurst Art Centre Byron Hurst from left to Right, Louisa Chircop,Bob Marchant, Byron Hurst, Michelle Cawthorn and George Gittoes.

DR JULIE KEYS - ACCLAIMED AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR REVIEWS 'COME SHOWER WITH ME'

Feeling extremely humbled and privileged to have struck up a wonderful friendship with the amazing Australian author Julie Keys, whose debut novel The Artist's Portrait which was shortlisted for The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers in 2017 and published by Hachett Australia is going gangbusters. Julie became fascinated by my art and my journey as an artist and attended my exhibition Come Shower With Me currently on at The SHAC Robertson NSW. She was kind enough to put pen to paper and write a review. Read about it here.

Louisa Chircop – Come shower with me

I met Louisa on Instagram. She followed me. I followed her back. She posted photos of artwork. Hers. Striking images with elements of the surreal that centred on scenes of her showering.  I pressed the screen to get a closer look. But those phones, they’re just not big enough. 

I’d developed a fascination for visual arts. This happened while I was doing background research for a novel I was writing.  I became absorbed – went to exhibitions, listened to talks, sat in on workshops, poured myself into textures and scents and images, taking in the debates and controversy on what made art and artists great, all the while wondering if  I was really getting it.  That whole visceral reaction people talked about eluded me. I felt distant, aloof until I came across something of Rothko’s from the 1930’s; streamlined bodies standing on a subway their heads curved forward like hooks.  My chest thumped. I sucked in a breath. The next time was over a painting by Vida Lahey.

Half a dozen years later I was trying to get a better look at Louisa’s work on a dodgy phone beneath poor lighting. Something had caught my attention. I was curious. The paintings, it turned out, were part of an exhibition. Come shower with me.  I DM’ed Louisa.

I have not lost that awkward, slightly uncomfortable feel of going to an exhibition and of being around art. Not that I want things too sweet. I crave art that widens my eyes, gives me that cold shiver, makes me want to look. The gallery was light and warm. I relaxed. It was an easy space to be in and Louisa’s work encouraged me to stand closer, stand further away, scrunch my eyes, hold out my hand, see everything.

Showering is mostly a solo activity for me, a sanctuary, a place of contemplation. But there I was being invited to join Louisa in that private moment when thoughts disassembled, dripped from your hair and fingers and swirled around your skin, ingesting body parts with tarry thick ideas before they disappeared down the plughole if you didn’t get hold of them. I walked the shape of a U in the gallery absorbing pieces of  Louisa’s gaze, bold fragments, exchanging energy in my own conversation with each canvas, craning my neck for one last look before I moved onto the next one.

Then, I found the artist, the flesh and blood one. This was the first time Louisa and I had met in real life. There were no profound questions from me. My head was full of  thoughts and impressions and sensations that I needed to process. The questions would come later – after I’d had time to stew on it. What I did instead was position Louisa in front of the largest canvas, took photos then got someone to take photos of the two of us together, tourist style – post shower. And for some reason that seemed exactly the right thing to do. 

Louisa Chircop – Come shower with me

The SHAC, Robertson

February 22nd to March 16th

SHORTLISTED FOR THE MUD LITERARY PRIZE 2020. A story about art, murder, and making your place in history.

'An intriguing read with compelling descriptions of early 20th-century Sydney in all its squalor, debauchery and fascinating historical detail.' Who Weekly

Read More about Julie Keys here.

'COME SHOWER WITH ME' - SOLO EXHIBITION OPENING 22nd FEB 2020 @shac_robertson

Pen in the Date!…Please join me at the opening of my solo exhibition 'Come Shower with Me' at the SHAC (Southern Highlands Artisans Collective) in Robertson in the wonderful community of the Southern Highlands - which we all know has recently been through a terrible period of the recent bushfires. It's a great opportunity to visit the area, and support the local businesses doing it tough (from buying a coffee to booking a place to stay for the weekend) like at the Robertson Hotel who are proud sponsors of The SHAC. Alternatively join me at Robertson Pub for a drink and an early dinner after the show.

Exhibition to be officially opened by award-winning Sydney Artist Halinka Orszulok Saturday 22nd February 2020 at 2pm at The SHAC (NEXT TO THE BIG POTATO) Exhibition continues and closes Monday March 6th 2020 at 4pm

PLEASE NOTE: the Official opening with drinks and opening address by award winning artist Halinka Orszulok will be Sat 22nd Feb 2020, However the exhibition will be open to the public from Friday 21st Feb 2020 if you happen to be already in the area.

The event is free but please RSVP here to give us an idea with numbers.

Drinks and nibbles provided.

If you can't make the opening you are welcome to drop in Gallery hours are Friday-Monday 10am-4pm

All works for sale. Works will also be available for purchase in an online catalogue coming soon.

enquiries@theshac.com.au

Enquiries: Patsy Peacock (President)
patsy@theshac.com.au
0614 0299 8644

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

‘Come shower with me’ invites viewers into the intimate world of Sydney based artist Louisa Chircop. As the title of her exhibition suggests, Chircop not only utilises the idea of the history of women’s activity in the bathroom but also uses the concept of showering to parallel her creative process in an ode to free association and surrealism, similarly the way ideas come to mind in the shower.

Through Chircop’s experience and interest in art history and psychological phenomenons, she explores the human condition creating images that are illicit in nature, rendered with complex meaning and hints of the shadow self. Chance encounters are played out repositioning women in art history whilst simultaneously positioning herself in relation to history, creating a metaphorical allegory about our present time.

Chircop is comfortable as chameleon, every image is a reconstruct of thought drawn from a stream of subconscious detritus into the reservoir of her conscious awakening. She creates with the inquisitive mind of an octopus foraging through its shady garden on the ocean floor. Every work, a token re-cleansing of the body, mind and spirit is an attempt to navigate existential pathways through the world resurrecting the female image from the grave of western art.