‘Four x Four @ McClelland’ to support lockdown-impacted Victorian artists

McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery in regional Victoria has announced a new initiative to support the local art industry in the wake of successive lockdowns. Titled Four x Four @ McClelland, the three-day special project exhibition will take place from 10-12 December 2021 in the Sarah & Baillieu Myer Education Pavilion, providing collectors with the opportunity to purchase works by artists disrupted by Covid-19.

The commercial galleries participating in the initiative are MARS Gallery, Sophie Gannon Gallery, Daine Singer, and THIS IS NO FANTASY, each showing four artists.

The artists represented from MARS Gallery are Sophia Hewson, Jenna Lee, Penelope Davis and Meagan Streader. Sophie Gannon Gallery will exhibit Celia Gullett, Fiona McMonagle, Judith Wright, and Ember Fairbairn. From Daine Singer join Kirsty Budge, Benjamin Prabowo Sexton, Kate Tucker, and Matt Arbuckle, and THIS IS NO FANTASY will present Juan Ford, Petrina Hicks, Michael Cook and Victoria Reichelt.

McClelland Director, Lisa Byrne, describes Four x Four @ McClelland as an opportunity to support artists whose projects were cancelled, whose work never saw the light of day, and who incurred costs for fairs and events which didn’t happen.

“Covid has engendered a spirit of collegiality amongst many gallerists and the public sector, not previously apparent, with numerous calls offering cooperative support,” she said.

“Artists need our support and encouragement at this incredibly demanding time and in the months ahead, as the entire arts ecology in Victoria and nationally recovers and looks to new modes of activation that are sustainable and demonstrate a responsible use of resources. McClelland is delighted to be partnering on this concept that supports our key stakeholder group, artists.”

“Come to McClelland to experience this unique re-awakening of our shared artistic life and help celebrate our commitment to Art with Nature.”

Four x Four @ McClelland is also scheduled to coincide with the McClelland Awards Exhibition, showing more than 50 artists and attracting prizes worth $55,000. The combined events promise a rich offering by leading local artists to conclude what has been another challenging year for the industry.

Special hours of opening for Four x Four @ McClelland will be 11am–5pm, from Friday 10 December through to Sunday 12 December with outdoor refreshments, seating and bookable Café Dining available throughout the weekend.

This article was originally published 1 November 2021.

Image: Ember Fairbairn, Under flesh and earth, 2021. Oil on wood panel, 100 x 140cm. Courtesy: the artist and Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne.