Benalla Art Gallery exhibition built on community feedback

Published on 21 January 2021

Benalla Art Gallery is presenting Re-gathering, an exhibition informed by the Benalla community’s shared experiences of COVID-19 during 2020.

The Gallery asked members of the Benalla community questions relating to their COVID-19 experience and have drawn works from both the Benalla Art Gallery Collection and the RACV Art Collection in response to that survey.

The exhibition provides a lens through which people explore their individual and collective experiences of 2020. Benalla Art Gallery Director Eric Nash said this is a significant project for Benalla Art Gallery.

“This has been a key opportunity to re-gather our community, to hear from them directly and to provide a space for healing and reflection after the unprecedented challenges of 2020,” Mr Nash said.

“We had an overwhelming response to the survey of our community about their personal experiences. These incredibly powerful first-hand accounts are woven through the show and are also shown in their entirety as a digital presentation to conclude the exhibition.”

Re-gathering also marks a significant new partnership, with this being the first time RACV has loaned a large body of art works to a regional gallery.

General Manager Social Impact and Communication Louise Steinfort said the RACV values the opportunity to loan works from the RACV Art Collection to support and enrich civic engagement.

“RACV is committed to supporting regional Victoria and we are pleased to partner to bring this exhibition together in a meaningful way for the community,” Ms Steinfort said.

“Art has a wonderful way of bringing people together and drawing out experiences through conversation that help foster a sense of belonging and wellbeing.”

The exhibition is also supported by MPavilion - Australia’s leading architecture commission and cultural laboratory – who with RACV are working to support regional communities through art and encourage conversation around social issues impacting Victorians.

Sam Redston, CEO of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, said MPavilion is excited to be part of this project with RACV and Benalla Art Gallery.

“MPavilion is embarking on a series of projects in regional Victoria in a multi-faceted program of free events that seek to create new conversations, catalytic encounters and fun, creative activities,” Mr Redston said.

For talks, school holiday events and programs relating to Re-gathering, go to benallaartgallery.com.au. Re-gathering is open until 20 June 2021.