Nature takes over at The Gladstone

A pair of emerging artists has pulled together an innovative, varied exhibition exploring natural themes in a gallery space at built-to-rent complex The Gladstone. Unusually, included in the show, which features 14 contributors, is a pop-up gift shop.

A twining root system climbs five metres up the internal concrete pylons of the ground-floor gallery at The Gladstone, adding an intriguing organic element to the quasi-industrial space.

Another root-focused work has been made from mycelium threads woven into rounded sculptural balls, which hang and gently spin as people walk past.

The exhibition, Bloom, which attracted a crowd of 200 to its opening on July 16, explores growth and nature in all its forms, the organisers say, and incorporates painting, sculpture, installation, photography, textiles and “object-based” pieces.

Among the many works on display are photos of petals, AI-generated images of clouds, intricate porcelain sculptures imbued with floral scent, fibre necklaces, woven vessels and various pieces examining different sorts of iridescence found in nature.

The exhibition includes “a really great cross-section of artists from different backgrounds,” co-organiser Kerrin Samuel says, and “a lot of different and interesting interpretations of flora”.

Staged as part of an initiative aimed at providing commercial opportunities as well as exhibition space to emerging artists, the show includes a retail area with merchandise and affordable prints and objects made by the exhibitors.

Kerrin Samuel and Jade Armstrong, who met at RMIT as students, had been thinking about the idea for a couple of years when they approached tech hub startup FB Ideas with it and were advised to apply for a “creative residency” at The Gladstone.

The residency is run with the support of Greystar, which owns the complex.

“We wanted to share our opportunity with other artists who we think are doing really cool and amazing things and help them with regards to commercialising their practice in a way that makes it sustainable to do art as a full-time career.”

Featured among Bloom’s 15 exhibitors is established bayside painter Anna Blatman, who is known for her eye-catchingly colourful, naïve style nature-themed scenes.

Alongside Kerrin and Jade, who have contributed a range of interesting work in different mediums, the exhibitors, many of them first-timers, are Tina Burge, Maya Grkow, Barry Robertson, Shelly Lazar, Nah Bananas, Toby Wundheiler, Lily Wundheiler, Kirtana Bharathi, Nicola De Rosbo-Davies, Randeep Sith Zem Rost, Sue Armstrong and Thea Hu-Warren.

The exhibition, which was officially opened by City of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin, has drawn plenty of locals in, Kerrin says.

“There really is a lovely sense of community here, and it’s so nice to bring the residents down into the gallery to come and connect with their neighbours and other people in the building as well as to talk to the artists.”

“It’s a fabulous way to activate one of the spaces in Fishermans Bend and bring people into The Gladstone to see what they have to offer as well.”

As part of the project, the artists will be offering a series of workshops and events, including sessions on visible mending, fibre art jewellery making, furniture weaving, sugar blowing and making flowers out of both clay and crepe paper.

Bloom is open Thursdays and Fridays 4pm to 7pm and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm or by appointment at Tower B, The Gladstone until September 13.

artup.global •