Art collection comes out of the shade

Newcastle Art Gallery continues to showcase its significant collection with the opening of GRISAILLE: Shades of grey from the collection.

Often a supporting act to more eye catching hues, grey is taking centre stage in this exhibition. The French word ‘Grisaille’ is an art theory term for the practice of using a colour palette restricted to grey. GRISAILLE explores the often discordant qualities we attribute to grey - simultaneously associated with tedium, absence and banality, but also elegance, neutrality and calm.

The previous exhibition PAINTING MEMORY: From the collection, which closed after the Australia Day long weekend, was visited by almost 15,000 people and featured some of the Gallery's most well known and loved paintings. By comparison, GRISAILLE could be viewed as an eclectic and intriguing selection which allows the Gallery to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the collection, which currently holds more than 6,300 works of art and continues to grow.

"Some of the works of art in GRISAILLE have not been previously displayed," said Lauretta Morton, Gallery Manager. "It is exciting to showcase them for the public to view and enjoy".

A diverse range of artists is included in GRISAILLE, including John Brack, William Delafield Cook, Noel Counihan, James Gleeson, Frank Hinder, Max Linegar, Bea Maddock, Mike Parr and Fred Williams, as well as local artists Brett McMahon, Claire Martin and Nigel Milsom.

In order to accentuate the exhibition, the Gallery has partnered with a local event company - Singles Events Newcastle - to present a Singles Mixer inspired by the concept of 'monochrome'.

"The prefix 'mono' means 'single' or 'one," said Lauretta Morton. "The singles mixer is part of a bigger strategy of engaging with new audiences - locals who may not have had the opportunity to visit the Gallery and enjoy its collection before."

Open until 8pm on Friday 23 February, visitors can enjoy after-hours access to the exhibitions, live music and stand-up comedy. Entry to the Gallery is free and all are welcome to drop in. Tickets to the Singles Mixer are $10 and must be pre-purchased. The singles event will be held concurrently with the Gallery's existing after hours program, Last Fridays.

GRISAILLE: Shades of grey from the collection 3 February - 11 March 2018
Also on display:
EVERYTHING CHANGES: Tim Maguire 2002 - 2017 Closes 18 February 2018
More information: www.nag.org.au/exhibitions/current

Related Events:

Last Fridays
Free, Friday 23 February & the last Friday of every month (except December), open until 8pm.
More information: www.nag.org.au/lastfridays
(Note: Last Fridays March will not be held as this date is Good Friday. The Gallery will be closed.)

Enjoy after-hours access, live music and a drink at our pop up bar while you explore the Gallery for an evening of ‘mono’ (meaning 'single' or 'one') inspired programming.

Local music by: solo singer-guitarist Mark Wells (pictured) (5-7pm)
Exhibition micro-talk: Tobias Spitzer, Technical Officer, Newcastle Art Gallery (from 7pm)
Stand-up comedy: Jarrod Moore from the UoN Comedy Club (short set after 7pm)
Plus: Uno, checkers and solitaire game action.

Exclusive Singles Mixer in the Gallery sculpture garden
Presented in partnership with SEN Events as part of LAST FRIDAYS
$10 per person, Friday 23 February, from 6:00 - 8:30pm
Tickets available: www.singleseventsnewcastle.com

GRISAILLE: Shades of grey from the collection sets the perfect backdrop to a Singles Mixer night - for nothing these days is simply black and white, but rather, many shades of grey.

Come dressed in black, white and grey and enjoy an exhibition which celebrates the elegance and complexity of a mono (meaning ‘single’ or ‘one’) colour palette, as you mingle with other singles. Exclusive ticketed event.

Image caption for art work above:
William Delafield COOK Two chairs 1972 Conte crayon and ink on paper 106.1 x 131.2cm Purchased 1973 Newcastle Art Gallery collection Courtesy the artist's estate