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Gallery display with framed collage artworks on the wall, a large colorful textile piece, and glass and silver decorative objects including a candelabra and green vase on white pedestals.

symbiosis: the Northcote Penguins

When

This exhibition has now ended.

Location

Buxton Contemporary Corner Southbank Boulevard & Dodds Street, Southbank. The University of Melbourne, Melbourne

Arts Project Australia
2024 Miegunyah Creative Fellowship

This exhibition was the culmination of the 2024 Miegunyah Creative Fellowship with Arts Project Australia. Artist group, The Northcote Penguins, was invited to investigate and respond to decorative arts, furniture and personal items in the Grimwade Collection, which was bequeathed to the University of Melbourne by Sir Russell and Mab Grimwade. Visiting the Collection in storage, the artists selected one or more objects that sparked their interest and, through their personal practice and Art Project Australia’s Professional Practice Program, each researched and developed their own creative outcomes.

Mark Smith collaborated with glass blower Ruth Allen to reimagine Grimwade glassware, while Christian Hansen’s bronze sculpture was inspired by a small porcelain ‘fairing’. Jordan Dymke’s self-portrait utilises mirrors from the Grimwade house Miegunyah, and Amani Tia was inspired by photographs taken by Russell Grimwade. Objects from the Collection were incorporated into an infomercial by Aidan Sefo and in collages and digital prints by Monica Lazzari and Sam Ashdown. Michael Camakaris drew inspiration from a ‘puzzle jug’ to produce a group of humorous and satirical ceramic vessels. These imaginative responses were displayed alongside the art and objects that inspired them.

Hear from the artists

The Miegunyah Creative Fellowships are a recent initiative supported by the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund at the University of Melbourne. These fellowships provide the opportunity for creative practitioners to explore the Grimwade Collection and respond to themes, issues and works of art through their chosen means of expression.The Northcote Penguins are:

  • Aidan Sefo
  • Amani Tia
  • Christian Hansen
  • Jordan Dymke
  • Mark Smith
  • Michael Camakaris
  • Monica Lazzari
  • Samantha Ashdown
  • David Kelly (volunteer)

Curated by Alisa Bunbury (Museums and Collections), Coordinated by Carly Richardson (Museums and Collections) and Tom Pendergast (Arts Project Australia).

Gallery

A modern art gallery room with white walls, featuring paintings and various sculptures displayed on white pedestals and mounted on the walls. The floor is gray concrete, and the space is brightly lit.
A gallery exhibit with framed drawings and a colorful landscape painting on white walls, plus ceramic vessels and sculptures displayed on white pedestals and shelves. The space is brightly lit and minimalist.
Seven ceramic vessels and sculptures are displayed on a white pedestal. The space is brightly lit and minimalist.

Access

Virtual Tour
Easy read labelsPDF (2 MB)

Supporters

Arts Project Australia

This project was made possible through the generous support from the Miegunyah Fund, Arts Project Australia and the University of Melbourne.

Arts Project Australia
  1. Banner Image:

    Installation photography of symbiosis: The Northcote Penguins exhibition at Buxton Contemporary, University of Melbourne (2024). Photo: Christian Capurro.