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| John Barrow by Ann James |
Lovers of art and children’s books, young and old, have an exciting new exhibition to explore in Canberra.
Seeing Stories is presented by the
National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature and features the work of ten amazing artists: Terry Denton, Peter Gouldthorpe, Bob Graham, Leigh Hobbs, Elizabeth Honey, Ann James, Alison Lester, Andrew McLean, Patricia Mullins and Julie Vivas.
The exhibition includes a “special exhibit of material about the artists, an artists' workspace, book reading corner and art activities.” At its launch, illustrator Ann James and author Jackie French spoke passionately about the importance of stories, especially those told without words through the pictures we see in books.
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| Patricia Mullins artwork |
The 40 artworks on display are just some of those in the John Barrow Collection, which comprises 135 framed artworks and associated material, and is described as the “largest and most significant” of its type. John Barrow was a teacher, principal and storyteller whose enthusiasm for illustrated picture books led to his creating a personal collection and home gallery of original art, which captures a “boom” period of children’s book illustration from the 1980s through to the early 2000s. Upon his death in 2004, John bequeathed his collection to Ann James and Ann Haddon of
Books Illustrated. They recently generously donated it to the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature, making it accessible to Australians through the Centre’s exhibitions and research facilities.
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| The Bathers by Julie Vivas |
Seeing Stories runs from
Friday 29 April to Friday 26 August 2016. Its opening hours are:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10.30 am - 2.30 pm, and Sundays 1 pm - 4 pm (closed Wednesdays and Saturdays). You can visit the exhibition at the University of Canberra Hub Exhibition Space (opposite Mizzuna Café). Follow the link for a map of the
Exhibition location and parking (PDF).
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| Nancy Wake The White Mouse by Peter Gouldthorpe |
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| Artists' space |
