A Mural Celebrating Friends, Family, and Fellow Artists For The Art Gallery of NSW
A striking wash of colour and vitality 'Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop' was created by seven Studio A artists inspired by the theme of togetherness
Soaring high!
In October of 2020, seven Studio A artists began work on the studio's biggest commission ever! ...
A 300 square metre mural at the Art Gallery of New South Wales engulfing the Entrance Court and welcoming audiences to its Archie Plus portrait project.
A collective work...
Across two weeks, Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness and Meagan Pelham of Studio A, with support crew in tow, scaled the immense wall to create 'Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop'.
The mural inspired by the theme of togetherness, captured Studio A artists’ responses to who they had been together with during the challenges of 2020. Each artist’s work sings with its own language and aesthetic style.
Ranging from the highly representational to the abstract, bold and colourful designs danced across the heritage archways near the Gallery’s entrance.
A milestone moment
The piece was commissioned by the Art Gallery of NSW for Archie Plus, a free program of art, music, performance & dance that celebrates people, portraiture and the power of community after a year of challenge & change.
“The Art Gallery of NSW's commission is a milestone moment that recognises the quality work artists with intellectual disability are producing. And their capacity to create large-scale public art showcases how Australia's major arts institutions are engaging professionally with diverse and marginalised artists. What an inspiring moment.”
- Studio A CEO/Artistic Director Gabrielle Mordy.
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop (2020-10) by Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan PelhamStudio A
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop
Let's dive in and take a closer look at some of the details...
Jaycee Kim uses art to explore the multi dimensional aspects of his identity, particularly relating to gender. In his self portrait Jaycee has painted himself alongside his creative inspiration, artist Bhenji Ra.
If you look closely you'll notice that one half of Jaycee's face appears with a rainbow plait and more feminine features while the other captures the masculine side of his identity.
Annette Galstaun has channeled her metaphysical world, painting her Guardian Angel Felicity. She is one of a network of angels that provide support to Annette in difficult times.
Meagan Pelham has contributed a self portrait with her mother Maija. Meagan and her mother lived together during COVID. The drawing that inspired this painting was completed as a Mother's Day gift in honour of their relationship.
Meagan Pelham’s Owl Love totems and love poetry also flow throughout the artwork framing the overall scene.
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop (2020-10) by Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan PelhamStudio A
Mathew Calandra shares his lyrical drawing of friend and flatmate Miriam holding their beloved pet rooster Henry outside his family home.
Mathew’s poem accompanies the drawing. The poem was completed with support from poet Dr. Gareth Ward as part of a collaboration between Red Room Poetry and Studio A.
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop (2020-10) by Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan PelhamStudio A
Emily Crockford painted herself at an art exhibition opening with fellow artist and collaborator Rosie Deacon (Emily painted a portrait of Rosie that hung in the 2019 Salon des Refusés).
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop (2020-10) by Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan PelhamStudio A
Soaring high above Emily and Rosie, Catherine McGuiness’ artwork references popular culture and liminal creatures. She depicted the ‘Little Mermaid’ flying through the sky. Throughout COVID Catherine has loved to dress as and paint the famous mermaid.
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop (2020-10) by Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan PelhamStudio A
Lauren Kerjan depicted poet Johanna Featherstone as she ponders in a contemplative state. Johanna is kept company by words in flight and a colourful bird; a symbol of Johanna’s active imagination.
During COVID Johanna worked as a poetry mentor to Lauren as part of a collaboration between Studio A and Red Room poetry.
Art Gallery of NSW Head curator of international art Justin Paton and Senior curator of contemporary Australian art Isobel Parker Philip described the project as,
“an inspiring assertion of the power of love and togetherness. In a year when the Gallery closed its doors, for the first time in its 149-year history, these artists are bringing imagination, spirit and enormous visual energy back to our most public space.”
Now let's see how it all came together!
Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop (2020-10) by Mathew Calandra, Emily Crockford, Annette Galstaun, Lauren Kerjan, Jaycee Kim, Catherine McGuiness, Meagan PelhamStudio A
Thank you to the wonderful team at the Art Gallery of NSW and the Anita and Luca Belgiorno-Nettis Foundation for supporting this project.
'Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop' was commissioned by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for Archie Plus 2020 with generous support from the Anita and Luca Belgiorno-Nettis Foundation.
Photographs by Diana Panuccio/AGNSW.
