By Tanya Steele
The Chrysalis exhibition launched at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Thursday 20 March, celebrating a thriving art community in the Dandenong Ranges.
Over 200 people gathered to celebrate and the annual Dandenong Ranges Open Studios Group exhibition which brings together an array of amazing artwork, showcasing the creativity and skill of local artists.
Burrinja Community Visual Arts Producer CJ Baxter said there was electric energy in the hills at the event.
“There was so much love and excitement in the air,” she said.
“It was the perfect way to kick off what will be a huge weekend.”
This year’s theme Chrysalis invited artists to explore themes of personal and collective transformation, the shedding of old identities, and the emergence of fresh perspectives.
Ms Baxter said the theme is decided by suggestions from the artists, which is then curated down to a shortlist by a team at Burrinja.
“It’s been interesting to see each year, oftentimes independently of each other they come up with similar ideas,” she said.
“Regardless of their medium, artists have one thing in common, we all feel things deeply.”
The Chrysalis exhibition encourages reflection on change, resilience, and the beauty that can emerge from quiet introspection and metamorphosis. Through a variety of mediums and interpretations, the exhibition celebrates the delicate yet powerful process of becoming.
“It was a perfect showcase of the diversity of practice and style in so many different artists and it’s a great place to start the journey through the studios,” said Ms Baxter.
“It gives you a little glimpse into the artist’s inner sanctum,” she said.
One of the core aims of the annual Dandenong Ranges Open Studios program is to encourage connection, community collaboration and inspiration amongst artists and the community.
“It’s been going for 22 years, it has a legacy for showcasing local arts,” said Ms Baxter.
“For me, it as an honour to get to represent Burrinja in this iconic event,” she said.
Artist Trish Campbell was celebrated on the night as she was nominated for the Swinburne Innovation Award for her collage ‘The Chrysalis of War’.
“We were absolutely stoked she was nominated,” said Ms Baxter.
With 42 studios and 53 artists represented, the Chrysalis exhibition at Burrinja offers a glimpse of the diverse talent within the hills and the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios is now in full swing.
Workshops and events continue to run all over the hills and at Burrinja in Upwey this weekend on 29 and 30 March.
Chrysalis will be on display for six weeks, and Ms Baxter said she is looking forward to seeing people get behind the program and the arts.
“It’s one of the biggest cultural events for the arts calendar,” she said.
