MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery is set to reopen to celebrate its 50th anniversary with an exhibition that follows the development and growth of its collection, 1 July-22 November.
The upcoming FIFTY exhibition features about 100 artworks of significance. They include eX de Medici’s Red (Colony) 2000, Arthur Boyd’s iconic Mt Martha from Rosebud Beach 1938, Lisa Roet’s giant primate finger Orang-utan Index 2001-03 and Locust Jones’ epic Geronimo 2011.
Founded in 1969 by Alan McCulloch, the-then Mornington Peninsula Arts Centre acquired its first artwork in 1970. Its collection has grown to include more than 1800 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.
Many focus on the cultural heritage of the peninsula, which has been a source of inspiration for artists since the 1850s, including Fred Williams, Albert Tucker and Arthur Boyd.
A series of new collection rooms will take visitors on a journey through their historical and contemporary representations of the peninsula.
An online launch of the MPRG: FIFTY exhibition and 50th publication will be streamed live from 6pm, Thursday 23 July. Afterwards a weekly in-conversation series will be presented 7.30pm, Thursdays.
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery is on Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington. Open 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Details: Visit mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 5950 1580.
First published in the Mornington News – 23 June 2020
