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Coast: the artists' retreat

Cape Schanck to Point Nepean

An MPRG exhibition

8 December - 18 February 2018

For over 200 years, the Mornington Peninsula has been a muse and haven for artists. Attracting a stellar roll call of some of the most recognisable names in Australian art, the wild and rugged coast has inspired works from artists such as Eugene von Guérard, Nicholas Chevalier, Louis Buvelot, Violet Teague, John Perceval and Albert Tucker.

This ambitious exhibition brings together masterpieces from these iconic artists as the basis of an extended conversation, considering our relationship to the coast, to the Australian landscape and our environment. Newly commissioned works from GW Bot, Megan Cope, Raafat Ishak, Euan Macleod and Kerrie Poliness tackle contemporary questions of our connection to landscape. These commissions, the result of a recently established artist in residence program at Police Point in Portsea, consider the beauty and magnitude of the coastline through painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and video.

A full colour catalogue includes contributions from Professor Timothy Bonyhady who writes about his personal relationship and time at Cape Schanck with the late Andrew Sayers. Independent curator and former MPRG curator Rodney James capitalises on the twenty cumulative years of research into the region exploring the historical works, with MPRG Senior Curator Danny Lacy reflecting upon the contemporary, and artist GW Bot sharing her unique relationship with the landscape. Buy now! $20 + postage: MPRG store

Free guided tours Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm.

Little kids and big kids can enjoy a free sea creature making activity and add their creation to the rock pool.