Artspace Mackay welcomes video installation artist Zanny Begg

Artspace Mackay’s next suite of exhibitions will be Zanny Begg: These Stories Will be Different, Kara Day: Ladylike and Stephen Homewood: Turbulence.

Zanny Begg is a video installation artist who works across drawing, film, social and spatial practice to explore questions of feminism, migration and ecological and intergenerational responsibility.

Artspace Mackay Director Tracey Heathwood said the team were excited to have Zanny Begg visiting the gallery for a few days.

“Zanny will not only be here for the official opening on Friday night; she will be hosting an artist’s talk at 10.30am on Saturday (August 19) and will follow that with an afternoon drawing workshop from 12.30pm to 4.30pm,” Ms Heathwood said.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for local art lovers to not only learn about Zanny’s works and process but also work with her to create a wallpaper inspired by late medieval drawings,” she said.

Ms Heathwood said Zanny Begg’s exhibition would appeal to a wide audience because her works told fascinating stories in creative and original ways.

“‘These Stories Will be Different’ brings together a fascinating series of works, including one that probes the unsolved murder of a high-profile anti-gentrification campaigner in Sydney in 1975.

“The work, called The Beehive (2018), looks at the story of Juanita Nielsen, who campaigned against the violent eviction of tenants from Kings Cross and Potts Point.

“Nielsen was last seen entering a venue managed by one of Sydney’s most notorious crime bosses.

“What’s fascinating about this work is how Zanny uses an algorithm to create a randomised video installation that allows more than 1344 versions of the story to unfold, each with a unique insight into this unsolved mystery.”

Residents can register to attend Zanny’s artist talk and/or workshop by visiting artspacemackay.com.au

Mayor Greg Williamson said it was tremendous to see two Mackay artists opening in the gallery alongside Zanny Begg.

“Mackay-raised artist Kara Day works across textile, sculpture and watercolour; and while the portraits in this exhibition (Kara Day: Ladylike) can be confronting, they are also really thought-provoking,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Stephen Homewood, who is also a Mackay artist, works in an experimental style that’s really colourful and abstract,” he said.

“His recent works on paper showcase turbulent waterscapes that combine two signature coastal Australia icons – the shark and the surf lifesaver.”

Art lovers are also reminded that Foodspace Café will be open on Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20, from 9am to 2pm and will be offering a special high tea menu (with champagne option).

Zanny Begg: These stories Will be Different will be on show until November 12 and Kara Day: Ladylike and Stephen Homewood: Turbulence will be on show until November 5.

Follow Artspace Mackay on Facebook or head to artspacemackay.com.au for more information.

Zanny Begg | These Stories Will be Different is a UNSW Galleries and Museums & Galleries of NSW touring exhibition. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Zanny Begg, The Beehive, UNSW Galleries, Photo: Steven Siewert, 2019.