Alison Mitchell
‘one wild and precious past’
May 3 - July 28, 2024
Exhibition launch Saturday May 4 at 3-5pm
Guest Opening Speaker Greg Mackie OAM - CEO History Trust of South Australia
Artist Talk with Alison Mitchell
Sunday May 19 at 2pm in Gallery 1
Celebrating South Australia’s History Festival
Alison Mitchell’s exhibition delves into the confluence of heritage, inspired by an enigmatic 14th century Indonesian batik that she chanced upon in an AGSA exhibition last year. The batik depicts a repeat pattern of two figures amidst a fertile tropical setting.
Mitchell responds to her reflections on this batik, drawing an analogy with her own British/Malay-Indonesian heritage – the interwoven threads of lives and cultures entwined and interconnected. The exhibition’s still life paintings are an exploration of the junction of cultures evident in the residual material of a family’s reciprocal gift exchange – pieces embedded with a precious past. The title is taken from a Mary Oliver quote – ‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’
BIO
Alison Mitchell is a visual artist based near Riverton in regional South Australia.
Self taught, her work responds to the seasonal changes of her environment, underpinned by a timeless tradition of careful observation from life, and informed by her studies in Anthropology, University of Adelaide, BA (Hons).
Artist Talk with Alison Mitchell
Sunday May 19 at 2pm in Gallery 1
Join Alison Mitchell in the gallery with Rachel McElwee, Director of Hahndorf Academy as they talk about Alison’s art practice and her new body of work in her exhibition ‘one wild and precious past.’ Alison Mitchell ‘one wild and precious past’ — Hahndorf Academy
Alison rarely gives artist talks so this is a special event for those interested in the ideas and stories behind her work. This exhibition 'responds to her reflections on a batik, drawing an analogy with her own British/Malay-Indonesian heritage – the interwoven threads of lives and cultures entwined and interconnected.
Free event and no bookings are required.
enjoy a glass of sparkling wine by Bird in Hand or sparkling water.
Alison Mitchell ‘Batik’ 2023, oil on linen 50cmx50cm
Alison Mitchell ‘Batu Tombuk’ 2023, oil on linen 50cmx50cm