Group Project

The Great Wall of Manly

Art & Soul Collective Members completed an exciting group project for the Great Wall of Manly (GWoM).

This was part of the Home Affairs exhibition at Manly Art Gallery and Museum (MAGM) from 25th October to 1st December. 

It's called 'Make yourself at home' in response to the 'Home Affairs' theme. Each of the five panels has a Bower Bird in their nest with colourful treasure that they have collected. The artworks were created using a gridded style and multiple layers of painted marks to create the overall effect.

Thanks to the Art & Soul Members who volunteered to help paint these panels. 

​We are currently looking for a new home for our birds. 
​

'Make yourself at home' on display outside the Manly Art Gallery until 1st December 2019

Concept/Statement:
Bowerbirds are native to Australia and are known for creating elaborate bowers in order to attract a mate. These avenues are made up of diverse materials (just like our country is made up of a diverse people) with the aim of attracting a mate (just as Australian’s should look to attract mates (aka friends) through immigration). The artwork provides a positive message on home affairs, specifically immigration, when so often we are bombarded with a negative one - it doesn’t always have to be about defending and repelling. It’s about attracting friends of all colours, shapes, sizes and creeds who help make our country the beautiful, diverse, unique tapestry that is Australia.

The art work is designed for the Great Wall of Manly and will consist of 5 panels in the forecourt outside Manly Art Gallery and Museum, each panel will be 1220 mm x 1830 mm

Each panel will contain the painted image of a bower bird, its nest and collected coloured treasures. Each bower will differ in shape and the collected treasures on each panel will differ in colour. These symbolise existing cultural and ethnic diversity in Australia and our willingness to attract and welcome people from all over the world to our shores. (Concept developed by Lauren Esplin)

Production of the work:
This is a group project and will be produced by members of A&SC. As this work will be produced by a group, the images will be gridded as per the work of Chuck Close, to enable many people to work on small sections. (Concept developed by Karen Steele and Susan McLeod)

Concept Sketches:
​Art work will be developed from images similar to those below; one image per panel:

Exhibition Details

EXHIBITION LOCATION: 
The forecourt outside Manly Art Gallery and Museum

EXHIBITION DATES: 
The Great Wall of Manly (GWoM) as part of the Home Affairs exhibition at MAGM runs from 25th October to 1st December 2019

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