THREE public programs in celebration of Deborah Kelly's mesmerising projection artwork, The Gods of Tiny Things, which features in the Benalla Art Gallery's exhibition Between the Details: Video Art from the ACMI Collection, will be held in February.
The programs begin on Friday with Moving Parts, a special edition of the gallery's free monthly workshops for pre–school aged children and their guardians.
In this "Little Artists" session, gallery staff will lead participants on a tour of the exhibition, before settling in front of Deborah Kelly's artwork where they will be guided through dance and movement exercises under the stars of the beautiful projected video.
Participants will then design, decorate and colour in their own moving creatures.
On Monday, February 6 at 10am the gallery will welcome Sydney–based artist Deborah Kelly to town to deliver a talk delving deeper into her artistic practice and the work The Gods of Tiny Things.
The kaleidoscopic video unleashes a vivid collage of animated figures and landscapes cut free from the pages of old magazines and encyclopaedias, exploring social, political and environmental concerns, while conversely revelling in the hectic pleasures and desires of life itself.
"This work is blessed by the powers of the animator, musicians and collagists. Having such creative collaborators is the treasure of my life," Kelly explained.
Following the artist talk, on Tuesday, February 7 artists of all experience levels will have the opportunity to learn from Deborah Kelly during a day–long masterclass.
Participants will explore the art of collage and learn the practices of cutting and composition – Kelly guiding participants to play purposefully with pictures and develop a range of technical skills to create original works that make the old new again.
Benalla Art Gallery Director, Eric Nash, said it was an exciting program for all ages.
"It's a treat to welcome Deborah Kelly to Benalla," he said.
"I'm sure our young creatives will enjoy dancing and making characters; and our adult artists will draw immense value from spending a day with Kelly exploring collage, composition and concept."
For full detail about each program, visit www.benallaartgallery.com.au or email gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au.
