Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
Currently on view at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery Behold Your Heart is part of their Dante Biennale, inspired by the life and writing of Dante Alighieri, this year focused on love, passion and romance. With a diverse collection of colourful and vivacious pieces, the exhibition draws upon the relationship first introduced in Dante’s La Vita Nuova, between Dante and Beatrice. With the first exhibition in 2022 focused on Dante’s Inferno, the introductory and most popular section of his Divine Comedy, here the Gallery looks at stories of love in his writing.
In an exclusive interview with Rebecca Hossack, the Director and Curator of her eponymous gallery, we learn more about the biennale: what inspired it and what we can expect in the future.
Where did the idea of starting the Dante Biennale come from?
Two years ago, we curated Inferno - a group exhibition inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy - to celebrate the seven-hundredth anniversary of the Florentine poet’s death. The response was so great that we decided to introduce a Dante Bienniale. So, every two years, we will curate exhibitions that explore the continuing dialogue between contemporary artists and Dante’s writings.
How do you think the works in the Biennale communicate with the Gallery’s permanent collection and past exhibitions?
Over 36 years, our gallery has been a trailblazer in championing many forms of art that have not always been considered art, including works by Australian Aboriginal, Papua New Guinean, and Indian women artists. Poetry, as an art form, has also always formed an important backbone in our gallery’s many endeavours, and we regularly host talks and events by leading writers and thinkers. Dante is one of the greatest poets of all time, and so this exhibition is a continuation of the gallery’s belief that all forms of art are important. I think the Dante-inspired works on show form a poetic dialogue with other artworks in the gallery. Dante’s Divine Comedy is all about his journey through an imagined afterlife, and the works on show – on the gallery’s upper floor - form an interesting conversation with the extraordinary aboriginal hollow log memorial poles that we have on display on the gallery’s ground floor. They, too, explore the theme of death, albeit through a very different lens. I’ve also been delighted to discover that Barbara Macfarlane’s round painting Centro de la Terra, inspired by Dante’s nine circles of hell, forms a lyrical parallel with paintings by contemporary Australian aboriginal artists in our gallery’s aboriginal room. They similarly feature circular motifs and are full of significance.
Can you talk about a specific piece of work showcased in the exhibition that you are particularly excited about?
I think John Holcomb’s portraits are exquisite. Heavily inspired by Botticelli’s portraits of Dante’s distinctive profile, they portray the poet in bold, saturated hues that bring him into our contemporary world, accentuating the continued relevance of his writings.
Can you talk a little bit about how these pieces were prepared and put together? Were there any key themes or ideas you wanted to focus on in its curation?
We have a very strong group of artists that we have nurtured and supported for decades, so we knew who would respond well to the theme of Dante. We began by sending the artists some of the poet’s texts for inspiration, and the results were amazing. Almost all of the works in the exhibition, bar a few, were created specifically for Behold Your Heart. The show also displays works that come from the gallery’s extensive permanent collection – such as the work of Sidney Nolan – as well as works that have been borrowed from other galleries. Behold Your Heart brings together artists who have all interpreted the theme of Dante differently. Phil Shaw has created one of his stunning hyperreal bookshelf prints featuring the three parts of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Hepzibah Swinford portrays Beatrice entering the heavens. That is the beauty of this particular exhibition; different visions, styles, and approaches united by a common theme.
What can we expect from the next iteration of the Dante Biennale? Is there anything specific you would like to explore in that iteration?
Well, our first Dante-inspired exhibition focused on his Inferno; this exhibition also touches upon his love and passion for Beatrice through the lens of his poem La Vita Nuova. Perhaps our next Dante Biennial will focus more on Paradiso, the final part of Dante’s epic journey.
Behold Your Heart: Dante Biennial is showing at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery until 28th April.
