MPRG: FIFTY
An MPRG exhibition, curated by Danny Lacy, Artistic Director / Senior Curator and Narelle Russo, Collections Curator
UNTIL SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER
Celebrating the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery’s 50th anniversary MPRG: FIFTY highlights the development and growth of this significant collection. Founded in 1969 by Alan McCulloch, the Mornington Peninsula Arts Centre, as it was known, acquired its first artwork in 1970. Over the past 50 years the Collection has grown to include over 1800 objects, including paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.
One strength of the MPRG Collection is the focus on the cultural heritage of the Mornington Peninsula which has been a haven and source of inspiration for many artists. Some of Australia’s best-known artists have captured the region’s unique scenery and lifestyle and these works form a valuable part of the Collection. A series of new collection rooms will take visitors on a journey through historical and contemporary representations of the Mornington Peninsula.
The MPRG Collection is also renowned for its specialist holdings of contemporary Australian works on paper acquired from acquisitive prizes (Spring Festival of Drawing 1973-97, Prints Acquisitive 1974-96 and National Works on Paper (NWOP) 1998-present). Focus displays within this exhibition will highlight Australian women printmakers from the late 1970s and early 1980s, NWOP winning works, and a series of works that ruminate on the repetitive nature of automatic drawing and stream of consciousness narratives.
MPRG: FIFTY breaks down traditional hierarchies by creating a kaleidoscope of colour with the greatest number of works from the collection ever on display together. The show inspires fresh connections, accidental intersections, and a new understanding and appreciation for our remarkable and evolving collection.
The exhibition features over 100 artworks including much loved favourites like 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.
MAJOR COLLECTION PUBLICATION
MPRG’s 50th anniversary publication celebrates and highlights the formation and development of our Collection. The publication features two key historical essays by Susan McCulloch OAM, Adjunct Professor, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT and daughter of founding Director Alan McCulloch and former MPRG Senior Curator, Rodney James. The MPRG curatorial team have selected over 70 collection works for reproduction that give an overview and insight into the breadth and diversity of the Collection. These artworks are accompanied by short written statements from current staff, former staff and artists represented in the collection.
We are extremely grateful for the support of the Gordon Darling Foundation whose funding has enabled us to publish a substantial and impressive record of the MPRG Collection and to design agency Alter whose passion and energy has catapulted the design of this publication to another level.
Members: $24.95 Non-members: $29.95
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Watch a series of videos about MPRG: FIFTY, including a walk through with Artistic Director / Senior Curator Danny Lacy and conversations with artists in the collection including Locust Jones, Vera Möller, Raymond Arnold, Euan Macleod, Jess Johnson, Cameron Robbins, Mike Green and Robyn Sweaney. Just click on the right arrow to display the playlist.
IMAGE GALLERY