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Introducing two new SECCA exhibitions and our Gallery Director

Two new exhibitions will be launched by Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick at SECCA (South East Centre for Contemporary Art) on Friday 14 February from 6pm, the first major event for our new Gallery Director, Janice Falsone.

Kindling: Jayanto Tan, Another Day in Paradise, 2024, wood-fired ceramic with lustre, dimensions variable.

Kindling: Jayanto Tan, Another Day in Paradise, 2024, wood-fired ceramic with lustre, dimensions variable.

11 February 2025

Two new exhibitions will be launched by Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick at SECCA (South East Centre for Contemporary Art) on Friday 14 February from 6pm, the first major event for our new Gallery Director, Janice Falsone.

TIDELAND: Works from the SECCA Collection features a curated selection of artworks inspired by the aesthetics and symbolism of waterbodies, perspectives on regionalism and contested views on landscapes.

Ms Falsone said Tideland invites audiences to engage with themes that resonate deeply with the south east region and serves as the foundation for TIDELAND: Art + Word, a multidisciplinary project presented in partnership with the Bega Valley Shire Library and the South Coast Writers Centre,” she said.

“We’ve encouraged regional writers to engage in ‘Ekphrasis’—poetry inspired by visual art—for a number of selected artworks from the Tideland exhibition which will be celebrated in another event later this month.

“Renowned text-based artist and poet, Caren Florence will feature in this exhibition, creating new work in response to the collection.”

The Kindling exhibition celebrates the artistic exchange between urban and regional ceramicists and features works by Kil.n.it Experimental Ceramic Studio artists, Bandicoot Pottery and selected residency artists.

“This exhibition highlights the innovative potential that emerges when diverse ceramic practices intersect following a unique artist residency exchange last year,” Ms Falsone said.

“Kil.n.it artists, Jayanto Tan, Ellen Bagge, and Sybilla Robertson undertook a residency at Bandicoot Pottery in Cobargo, where they explored ceramic wood-firing under the guidance of master ceramicists Daniel Lafferty and Gabrielle Powell.

“In return, far south coast artists, Sarah Murray, Tara Penales, and Phoebe Turner were hosted at Sydney’s Kil.n.it studios, where they engaged with metropolitan networks and explored an urban collective studio practice.

“Funded by Create NSW, the concept of gift exchange is at the heart of both the residency and exhibition, reflecting the reciprocal nature of artistic collaboration.”

Tideland: Works from the SECCA Collection and Kindling will be on exhibition at SECCA from 14 February to 12 April.

Entry to the launch event for both exhibitions is free and all are welcome.

SECCA is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and is closed Sundays and public holidays.

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