An exhibition by Tenant Creek talent Dion Beasley, of Cheeky Dog fame, will open next week at Charles Darwin University’s Northern Editions Gallery.
Previewed earlier this year during the Darwin Festival, the exhibition will showcase 14 of Dion’s first etchings.
Northern Editions manager Emma Fowler-Thomason said Dion had extended his talents to fine art printmaking in a series of delightful and engaging etchings of which the National Gallery of Australia has reserved a special selection of one-off hand-coloured trial proofs.
“Scratching his favourite images of dogs, family and animals directly on the plate, these etchings represent a significant development in his artwork,” Ms Fowler-Thomason said.
Collaborating printmaker and trustee Kevin Banbury said the printmakers were privy to something special when Dion created his first etchings. “I sensed something out of the ordinary when Dion became immersed in the narrative and the creation of these drawings,” he said. “The prints leave the viewer with a glow inside, a little bit of Dion.”
As part of his visit to Darwin, Dion will also take part in a week-long collaborative workshop with renowned Northern Territory artist Rob Brown, conducted by CDU printmakers Leon Stainer and Jacqueline F. Gribbin.
Ms Fowler-Thomason said both Dion Beasley and Rob Brown were unique in their approaches to their technique that was quirky and accessible for the contemporary world of art.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for two Northern Territory artists to work together for the first time and explore the printmaking medium,” Ms Fowler-Thomason said.
Dion has evolved his love for drawing from paper to t-shirts, leading him to create the label Cheeky Dog, which has received national recognition. Dion has also exhibited his work in galleries throughout Australia facilitated by Arts Access Darwin and Artback NT: Arts Development and Touring. Dion recently won the Charles Darwin University Arts Award at the NT Young Achiever Awards 2010.
The exhibition entitled Dion Beasley - First etchings will be officially opened by Suzan Cox QC, Director of the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission, on Thursday 18 November at 6pm, and will run to 17 December 2010 at the Northern Editions’ Gallery, CDU Casuarina campus, building Orange 9.
Opening hours are from Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm or by appointment.
For more information, please visit Northern Editions’ website at www.northerneditions.com.au