Visitors lose themselves in artworks by Norman Lindsay, Hans Heyson and more at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery (BHRAG) and renovations are underway to give the city’s lavish art collection the best possible environmental conditions.
“This includes the gallery’s ability to monitor temperature, humidity, dust leakage and light levels, all of which are required to host artworks from our touring partners,” said the gallery’s Director, Blake Griffiths.
Renovations at the former Sully’s Emporium include much-needed repairs to the historic building, including a complete replacement of the roof after the infamous Broken Hill hail storm of 2016.
“Capitalising on this closure period, Broken Hill City Council committed to necessary upgrades to the building, including a complete floor replacement, repairs to the lime-plaster walls and the installation of a new humidifier and air-conditioning system,” said Mr Griffiths.
“Additionally, Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery has received a generous grant from the Create NSW Creative Capital Fund to install a range of false walls within the downstairs gallery space, ensuring that heavy collection works and non-traditional media can be installed without the use of hanging wires.”
Amongst the wheelbarrows and ropes littering the gallery, the creative muse alighted and artist, Hannah Bertram, is developing an artwork to feature in the re-opening exhibition.
“The artwork will utilise industrial detritus from the project, including the protective plastic covering the collection throughout the closure,” said Mr Griffiths.
The gallery’s temporary closure has created other opportunities and its pop-up shop, Workshop, is open in the Town Square.
Local artist, Alex Rosenblaum, will be facilitating workshops there for young people aged 12 to 24 to create artworks which will be printed on banners for display around the city. The workshops are made possible by the Office for Regional Youth Holiday Break and the NSW Government.
The pop-up space also features the gallery’s retail store and includes a range of artworks by local practitioners.
An exhibition of collection works, called ‘Surface Level’, is on display at the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum.
The gallery’s summer of art continues, with entries open for the ‘2022 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards’ and ‘Open Cut Commission.’
