Friends of the Gallery Newsletter Winter Edition 2025
20th April 2025
GREETING FRIENDS
As you will see from the winter program, the Gallery has a wonderful collection of new exhibitions happening soon and as usual the Friends’ committee members will be providing bar service at the winter opening on the 9th of May. When you attend these openings, please make yourself known to us as we love to meet our members face to face.
The Friends provided a bar service at the most recent opening.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our proposed tour to Sydney to visit the Archibald Prize 2025, the Wynne and Sulman prizes, along with the Chau Chak Wing Museum and the Salon de Refuses. I’m not sure whether the impending impact of cyclone Alfred was a distraction, which is understandable, or whether this tour did not have the attraction we anticipated. There were not enough participants to cover the costs and while we were sorry to disappoint those who had booked, we had no option but to cancel. I would really like your feedback on the tours we endeavour to organise for our members, so please if you would like to provide us with feedback feel free to email me with your thoughts,
Your comments will give us valuable insight, especially as we are about to organise a tour to the south coast in November, which will include a visit to Ben Quilty’s studio, the Arthur Boyd family estate and Art Museum “Bundanon” and other places of interest in the region.
The Friends Committee consists of a small group of dedicated people who give their time freely, reinforcing our commitment to support the Gallery and its programs. One task we are currently undertaking is rewriting our Constitution to ensure it complies with the Department of Fair Trading’s new requirements. As well as the legal side of things we have a couple of vacancies on the committee that we would like to fill. We are looking for someone who could take on the responsibility of developing policies and procedures which will accompany our new Constitution. Now that our website is up and running, we also need a volunteer to keep it updated and relevant. Both positions would require no more time than one day a month to fulfill, and can be done remotely, so if you are interested and would like to discuss either of these roles, please call me on 0408 388 634.
To keep our members informed of all thing’s art in the Northern Rivers region we have connected with the Friends of both the Lismore and Grafton Galleries, and Arts National (North Coast). We meet quarterly to discuss not only operational ideas but joint ventures, news and upcoming events, so watch this space…
You will recall that we have been promoting a tour to the Gardens of Japan to be held in May. In return for the Friends patronage the organisers of this tour, Opulent Journeys, have kindly donated $3,500 to the Friends. We thank them for their support and acknowledge our member Kim Woods Rabbidge who arranged this promotion. None of this would have been possible without the number of members who chose to participate in the tour. Thank you,your support of the Gallery is very much appreciated. follow this link to preview all the events in the Winter Gallery Program.
https://online.fliphtml5.com/txcax/mpps/
Until next time enjoy these exhibitions and more at the Gallery,
WINTER OPENING CELEBRATIONS
Friday 9 May I 6-8pm I Free
Join us for the opening celebrations for Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise developed and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Key Rhythm by Tamara Mendels, Breast Plates by Luther Cora, and Gunimaa-Source by Debbie Taylor-Worley and Sophie Taylor.
Bookings essential. https://events.humanitix.com/wo25
Photo: Kate Holmes
ART PLAY
Wed 2, Fri 4, & Wed16, Fri 18 July I 11am-1pm I Free
Join local artist Charlotte Haywood for artmaking activities inspired by the exhibition Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise developed and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Family friendly activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All materials included. No booking required.
Supported by the Friends of Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc.
QAGOMA THE 11THASIA PACIFIC
TRIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART
WATERFALL VIII (still) 2023 Dawn Ng, Singapore b.1982
4K video, 27:06 minutes, 16:9 (landscape & 9:16 (portrait)Courtesy: The artist & Sullivan + Strumpf/© Dawn Ng
The Friend’s group admiring Judy Watson’s Bronze Sculpture, tow row 2016,
Forecourt QAGOMA
On February 18th, 17 Friends of TRG day trippers spent a mere four hours at Brisbane's Southbank galleries viewing the 11th Australia Pacific Triennial's 70 exhibits from as far as Uzbekistan, Arabia, and Nepal, to Tonga and beyond, with a strong showing from Vietnam.
A gallery guide's introduction addressed some APT11 themes, including the need to reprise tradition and culture, and to care for worsening environment. Themes surfacing further along included the continued subjection of women and most poignantly, the dilemmas for those with multicultural heritage, as expressed in Mai Nguyen-Long's many dozens of diverse phantasmagorical ceramic figurines. A video exhibit 'Mumbai Tilts Down', from Mumbai's Camp studio, is a 7-channel assemblage of footage shot from a 35-story building by remote control in 2022. It made for a compelling presentation, contrasting a Mumbai cityscape's glamorous new buildings and lush vegetation with the squalor of its tarpaulin roofed slums.
The above exhibits were just two of note among so many remarkable textiles, ceramics, video displays, wall works and installations.
Note the 11th Australia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art closes April 27. Thank you, Kerry Stelling, for scribing and sharing this trip report.
ENTRIES FOR THE OLIVE COTTON AWARD 2025 ARE NOW OPEN.
Left: 2015 Director's Choice Acquisition, Brett Boardman, Seafarer Peter Hegney, Newcastle, 2014-2015 Lambda print. Centre: 2015 OCA winner Natalie Grono, Pandemonium's Shadow 2015, pigment inkjet print; Right: 2013 Director's Choice Acquisition, Raimond de Weerdt, Self-portrait with cactus and telephone 2013,
We are excited to announce that the 2025 Olive Cotton Award is now open for entries! This year marks 20 years since the award began and we are especially aware of the contribution artists and judges have made over the years, and of the enduring legacy of Olive Cotton. We can't wait to see the entries and meet the people that have captured the artists' attention. Art dealer Josef Lebovic and photographer Sally McInerney, Olive Cotton’s daughter, have provided invaluable ongoing support for this important national biennial Award including $20,000 toward this year’s prizes .The Friends of the Gallery work to raise funds to support this much-loved Award. Save the date in your calendar for the official opening and Award announcement on Saturday 30 August 2025. This is one opening not to miss! It is a great way to meet many of the OCA Finalists and be part of the passionate photography community. Works will be available for sale after the Award announcements.
VALE OUR VALUED FRIEND CAROL KEMP
In February we were saddened to hear of the death of Carol Kemp.
Carol became a member of the Friends in 2001, not long after moving to the Tweed from Canberra. She joined the Friends' Committee in 2010 as Treasurer
and continued in that role for 5 years. Those were the years of fundraising for the establishment of the Margaret Olley Art Centre, very busy years for everyone and especially the Treasurer.
Carol was also a Gallery volunteer for most of her time in the Tweed. Her love of the Gallery and her proximity to the Gallery when living at Bakers Road and later, in Murwillumbah, meant she often responded to Gallery calls to fill last minute vacancies on the roster. A keen photographer, Carol was a finalist in the Border Art Prize several times, once winning the Shirley Kennedy Encouragement Award.
Carol and grandsons with another of her Border Art Prize finalist works Ondong Rossey Pots
Carol will be much missed by the Friends, the Gallery staff and fellow volunteers.
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR NEW RAFFLE STATION.
Our Raffle Station has had a makeover. We now have a new workspace where we can say hello to visitors and talk all things raffle tickets. When you next visit the Gallery look out for the welcoming smile of Martin – a lifetime member of Friends of The Gallery, who will often be found at this handsome new station.
While there buying a raffle ticket or two and if not already a Friend of The Gallery feel free to ask about this great group and understand a little about what we do…and if you feel inclined and could spare a couple of hours a week, a fortnight or even a month selling raffle tickets you would be a welcome addition to our fund-raising team.
The money we raise from the sale of these tickets greatly enhances our capacity to finance many of the Gallery’s programs. If you are interested, you can email
Janice Galleryfriends2484@gmail.com
AS THEY SAY, YOU HAVE TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!
Our current raffle is this elegantly framed, matted poster of the Margaret Olley 1923-2011, Hawkesbury Wildflowers and Pears c.1973. Margaret Olley’s still-life paintings from this period are typically calm studies that capture the beauty of simple and familiar things. It’s displayed in the Gallery Shop and ready to be taken home and hung by the lucky winner. Thank you for your support and good luck!
And congratulations to Stasia Poidivan from Innisvale who takes home our last raffle which was the exquisite ceramic piece created and donated by Jo Norton.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED MAKING A BEQUEST TO THE GALLERY?
Leaving a bequest in your Will is one of the most valuable ways you can support the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc.
By giving to the Tweed Regional Art Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre you are helping the Gallery fulfil its bold vision into the future.
The following wording for leaving a bequest is provided as a guide only. We strongly recommend that you seek independent legal advice when writing or updating your Will.
"I give to The Friends of the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc. ABN 23 980 463 996 for its general purposes, free of all duties, [insert amount OR percentage of estate OR residue of estate] for which an authorised receipt from the Treasurer will be a sufficient discharge at law for my executor(s) or trustee."
Broad, unrestricted bequests are always the most helpful, however if you are considering restricting your legacy to a specific purpose or leaving a work of art for our collection, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your plans before you commit them to a Will, to ensure that your wishes can be met. To contact The Friends please follow this link https://www.tweedgalleryfriends.com.au/contact-us
THE FRIENDS OF THE GALLERY WOULD LIKE MORE FRIENDS
As you know the Friends Of The Gallery plays an important role supporting and fundraising for the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margret Olley Arts Centre. Being a member offers access to special events, artist studio and gallery tours, both locally and interstate and regular educational and fundraising functions. Importantly the proceeds from these events and annual membership fees raise money to enhance the Gallery’s programs and exhibitions and help build its collection. Do you have a friend or family member who would enjoy joining ? You may not know that there are several membership options, and members can choose to be as involved with the group as they like and enjoy the Gallery knowing membership support makes an import contribution to the Gallery. Please consider introducing someone you know or maybe give a gift of membership for that special occasion.
For more details click on this link https://www.tweedgalleryfriends.com.au/join-or-renew
