Contemporary Performance Art Comes to Shepparton Art Gallery

A sombre and moving exhibition, ‘Ash’, by well known contemporary artist Jill Orr, has opened at the Shepparton Art Gallery.

Jill Orr will present a once-off contemporary performance art piece to complement her exhibition at the gallery on Saturday 16th October.

Shepparton Art Gallery Director, Ms Leanne Willis, said this was a rare opportunity to see the work of a well established and highly regarded contemporary artist in a regional setting.

“The performance component of ‘Ash’ is a quiet contemplative and introspective piece, designed to invoke a philosophical response from the audience,” Ms Willis said.

“We have not had a performance art piece in Shepparton for a long time.  This is a wonderful opportunity for people in our area to experience the type of artwork that is readily available in metropolitan areas.”

“Visitors will be very moved by this exhibition.  The paintings have been lit in semi darkness at the request of the artist to further add to the mystic of the works on display”.

“Jill Orr, one of Australia’s leading performance artists, has been producing performance events centred on her own body and notions of the ‘self’, with an attitude towards current politics and social ethics, since the mid 1970s, and ‘Ash’ is no exception.”

“‘Ash’ transforms Orr’s body into a metaphor for the land.  Covered in chalky ash, she lies on a coffin-like slab of old wood.”

Jill Orr’s performance of ‘Ash’ will take place from 6.30 to 7.30 pm on Saturday 16th October and the exhibition will run in the gallery until Saturday 21st November.

For more information, please contact Leanne Willis on 5832 9861.

Admission to Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, phone 5832 9861.