New solo exhibition from artist Carmel Robertson to open in Shepparton Art Museum’s Community Gallery on 23 November 2024.

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is pleased to present a new solo exhibition from local artist Carmel Robertson in the museum’s Hugh D.T Williamson Community Gallery on 23 November.

Presenting the exhibition as the 2024 SAM Spotlight artist, Wish you were here features a new series of Robertson’s oil paintings depicting the landscapes and landmarks of Shepparton. An emerging figurative painter based in the Goulburn Valley, Robertson previously worked as an arts educator in the region before dedicating herself fully to her creative practice in her retirement. Robertson has since developed a distinctive style that reflects both her personal experience and unique artistic voice.

Created over the past 12 months, Robertson’s paintings dip lightly into surrealism to reimagine the sights of Shepparton. Through subtle manipulations, Robertson distorts the town’s familiar buildings and streets, offering a personal commentary on Shepparton as a transitory space rather than a tourist destination. Through her depiction of empty streets, vacant lots at night, alleys and concealed pathways at dawn or dusk, Robertson emphasises the region’s transient nature while dissolving the boundary between the real and the unreal.

Caroline Esbenshade, SAM Curator - Community says of Robertson’s exhibition:

“Carmel Robertson has created an engaging body of work, which we are thrilled to share at SAM for the first time. Robertson’s oil paintings are moody, dreamlike, and infuse very familiar scenery from our town with a touch of the unknown. This exhibition will resonate with locals particularly, who will enjoy seeing our landscape through a new lens, and I’m excited to hear the reflections it draws out of people over its duration.”

An exhibition opening event will be held at SAM on Saturday 23 November at 2.30pm, and will include a conversation between Carmel Robertson and Caroline Esbenshade. Registrations to the free event can be made via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/exhibition-opening-or-carmel-robertson-wish-you-were-here

Wish you were here will be on display at SAM in the Hugh D.T. Williamson Community Gallery from 23 November 2024 to 2 March 2025.

ENDS