Exploring the role of food as artistic inspiration and medium, the Museum of Brisbane presents Tastes like Sunshine on display at City Hall from 18 August 2017.
Where art meets food, this flavoursome exhibition tells the rich history of our city’s food culture through contemporary art, historical documents and images. Artists Elizabeth Willing, Sean Rafferty and Carol McGregor will present new artworks created from materials such as possum skins, produce boxes, chocolate and marshmallows.
Museum of Brisbane Director Renai Grace believes this exhibition will challenge audience’s preconceived notions of traditional still life, food, and art mediums. “The artists exhibiting in Tastes like Sunshine use food a stimulus and a medium to engage audiences in a multi-sensory experience,” said Ms Grace.
“Brisbane-based artist Elizabeth Willing has been working closely with leading local chefs to create playful, experimental, immersive and sensory works. By using non-traditional materials, you will literally be able to smell the artwork.”
Artist Sean Rafferty has spent time observing the industry of the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea where many stories behind the produce were shared by farmers, wholesalers and distributors. He then reimagines the produce carton by creatively transforming it from a practical item into colourful installation artworks.
Multi-disciplinary artist, Carol McGregor, maintains a strong engagement with the land. Ms Grace explains, “Carol has been working closely with members of the local Aboriginal community to create cloaks from contemporary possum skins that record Indigenous stories in ochre.”
The exhibition also features a commissioned photographic series by artist Jo Grant that documents a diverse selection of gardens created by some of Brisbane’s migrant residents, as well as a photographic history of sugar farming and production in the Brisbane region and the evolution of the city’s markets .
Museum of Brisbane is also thrilled to launch an exciting new space alongside Tastes like Sunshine, Food Futures – presenting an interactive experience exploring the impact of our food choices on us as individuals and our planet.
The collection showcase complementing Tastes like Sunshine is Our Collection: Harvest to Hearth – a selection of artworks from the Museum of Brisbane Collection that celebrate the domestic origins of Brisbane’s food culture. Artists featured include William Robinson AO, Marian Drew and Donna Marcus, alongside ceramic works from Albion Pottery, Bristol Pottery and pieces from their newly acquired Easton Pearson Archive.
Tastes like Sunshine
Museum of Brisbane – City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane
Exhibition: 18 August – 12 November 2017
Free admission
For more information, visit: www.museumofbrisbane.com.au for details.
Image: Sean Rafferty with his work for Tastes like Sunshine – courtesy of Museum of Brisbane