Source: New South Wales Ministerial News
Ancient Roots in the New World is a new exhibition celebrating the beauty, history and symbolism of the olive tree (Olea europaea), opening on Thursday, September 18 at Dudley House on View Street.
Curated by Ceilidh Meo, the exhibition brings together a diverse group of emerging and established Bendigo region artists and craftspeople including Amanda Peluso, Andre Sardone, Ben Wrigley, Ilka White, Isstra Bevilacqua, Jill Connors, Kim Lowe, Lauren Starr, Linda Hermens, Rhayven Jane, Sharon Greenaway, and Sue Wyer.
The exhibition features works across a range of media: sculptural and industrial installations, performance art, drawing, textiles, ceramics, and items made from olive trees such as beads, teas, oil, soap and pickled fruit.
It also highlights Bendigo’s UNESCO City and Region of Gastronomy designation and one of its signature products, olives and olive oil, with a video featuring olive oil production and a small-scale olive oil press installation, specially donated for the exhibition from environmental education centre CERES in Brunswick.
Curator Ceilidh Meo said the exhibition was inspired by the daily-changing beauty of her own olive grove.
“The aim is to showcase the bounty, beauty, history and symbolism of the olive tree through food and artworks made from or inspired by local specimens,” Ceilidh said.
“Olives have a long and venerable history in human culture. This exhibition is about bringing a sense of the sacred back to our food – a sense of appreciation and wonder for the abundance around us and the people who create it.
“Ancient Roots in the New World is also a fundraiser for startup costs for the Long Road Olive Co-operative LTD, a not-for-profit co-operative of small-scale olive growers with between 1-3,000 trees. Artworks are not expected to be donated by the artists.
“Instead, the artists will set a reserve price for their works, with a silent auction to run throughout the opening week of the exhibition. The Long Road Olive Co-operative will take a 30% commission on the final price of the works at the completion of the auction. This means that ultimately the artists could earn a higher price for their works than through traditional sales channels.”
Exhibition highlights include:
- Goddess of the Grove – interactive diorama with olive branches, providing a backdrop against which participants can be photographed
- Ode to Athena – soundscape retelling the myth of Athena and the olive tree
- Peace, Prosperity and Purpose – textile triptych exploring olive symbolism
- Sculptural works created from olive wood
The free exhibition opens at Dudley House, 60 View Street on Thursday, September 18 with an official celebration at 6pm on Friday, September 19. All are welcome.
The exhibition is supported by the City of Greater Bendigo’s Artists on View program.