Took My Beautiful at Gallery Lane Cove

If you’ve never been to Gallery Lane Cove (located across from the Library), you should pop in and see one of their latest exhibitions. Entry is free.

One of their current exhibitions is  Took My Beautiful, a power solo exhibition of linocut prints by regional NSW artist Raeleen Pfieffer on the theme of sexual violence.  The exhibition runs until Saturday 11 June.

Autobiographical in nature, the suite of works depicts the artist’s journey on a terrible quest with no justice, created during a stressful time when she decided to report her childhood experience of sexual assaults to authorities.

While the specific artmaking process of cutting on the lino is therapeutic, the artist’s aim in devising this project is to reach out to others who might have suffered similar experiences and to encourage them to seek professional help in trauma counselling.

The monotone black and white palette of the lino prints presented as 2D works and site-specific installations tell a harsh, challenging and raw personal story, emphasising the importance of vocalising such unfortunate experiences and simultaneously seeking support through community. The significance of this exhibition is underscored by the support it has received from government bodies, including the NSW government’s Quick Start-Up Grant and Eastern Riverina Arts.

In contrast to the confronting reality of Rafleen Pfieffer’s linocut prints, The Blue Hour’s Floriana is a contemplation on the beauty of Australian flora. A counterbalance in mood and focus, this exhibition is a collective of established and emerging photography artists (known as The Blue Hour) mentored by renowned photographer Janet Tavener. Together, they present a diverse and dynamic new series of photographic artworks capturing their personal response to the Australian flora, both native and exotic.  Read more here.

Dates: Until 11 June 2022

Content Warning: Please note this exhibition explores themes of sexual assault. Some artworks contain adult material and coarse language.

Enrol in an Art Class or Workshop – Gallery Lane Cove

Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios is located in the building directly across from the Lane Cove Library. Melbourne might have the Paris End of Collins Street, but Lane Cove has the Cultural Precinct on Longueville Road (Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios,  Lane Cove Library and the Living and Learning Centre, all located on Longueville Road).

Gallery Lane Cove provides the whole community with opportunities to attend art workshops and term classes in printmaking (including screen printing), sewing, jewellery making, knitting, life drawing, painting and pottery. ITC is incredibly excited about going to pottery/ceramic classes (ITC became obsessed with pottery after watching the Great British Pottery Throwdown – like MasterChef for potters).

If you would like to know the courses coming up and be notified when there is a new course Email Gallery Lane Cove and put 2022 Workshops in the subject line. They will then get back to you and let you know what is coming up. Find out more here.

They are currently taking bookings for their Winter School Holiday Programme

 

Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Saturday and 10.00 to 2.30 pm

If this article raises any issues with you or you would like some advice about the issues raised in this article call 1800respect.

Gallery Lane Cove and In the Cove are community partners – Gallery Lane Cove is a not for profit organisation, and we offer a discounted ITC Business Supporter package to them – this article is part of that arrangement.