Three artists from the Dandenong Ranges are shining a light on their distinctive talents in a pop-up exhibition that’s already turning heads in Armadale.
‘Lustre,’ which opened on Sunday, May 18, is a two-week exhibition showcasing the works of sculptor David Cox, painter Elizabeth Gleeson, and artist Gerard Russo – it’s a collection that brings together different art forms, united by a shared love for shimmering, metallic materials.
Running until May 30, the exhibition is a celebration of collaboration, with the artists – all from close-knit communities in the hills – bringing their own unique backgrounds and styles to the table.
For Mr Cox, Ms Gleeson, and Mr Russo, it’s a perfect example of how sometimes, things just fall into place.
“We’ve all been connected over the last couple of years through the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios Programs, organised by Burrinja Gallery in Upwey,” Mr Cox said.
“And we also happen to live close to each other – I’m in Olinda, Gerard and Elizabeth are in Monbulk. We’ve talked about working together for a while, but it wasn’t until the opportunity to exhibit in Armadale came up that we really saw how we could blend our styles into something exciting for the space.”
The idea behind ‘Lustre’ is rooted in contrast.
Each artist brings their own take on reflective, glowing materials, creating an exhibition where the light itself seems to dance across the artworks.
The name, ‘Lustre’, was chosen because it perfectly captures that sense of movement and transformation.
“Lustre really speaks to what we’re trying to do with our materials,” Ms Gleeson said.
“It’s about how light changes the way you see the work. It can look one way in the morning, completely different at night. That’s what we love about it.”
While they each approach their work differently, the artists all use metallic elements to bring their pieces to life.
Ms Gleeson’s fine art paintings are adorned with gold, creating a ‘folk-nouveau’ style that glows with warmth.
Mr Russo’s luminaires play with copper that shimmers and moves, changing with the light, meanwhile Mr Cox uses salvaged antique brass piano components to create sculptures that have an authentic – timeless feel.
“The mix of materials we each use adds so much variety,” Mr Russo said.
“What’s exciting is that, even though we’re all so different, it’s like we’ve created three exhibitions within one space. The feedback has been amazing – people are inspired by how different materials can come together to create something dynamic.”
One of the exhibition’s highlights will be a soirée celebration on Thursday, May 29, from 5 to 9 pm – a relaxed evening of art, community, and a drink or two.
The event had to be rescheduled from a traditional opening night, as the pop-up exhibition came together quickly. But the team is excited to be celebrating with locals and art lovers.
“The whole pop-up opportunity came up so suddenly, we only had a few days to get it ready,” Mr Cox said.
“So, instead of the usual opening party, we decided to have our celebration the night before the exhibition ends. The Fat Goat in Upwey is sponsoring us with some fantastic beers, so it’s going to be a fun, laid-back evening with friends, locals, and people who are just curious to see what we’ve put together.”
The exhibition is set in a stunning heritage-listed building on High Street, Armadale, which adds another layer of charm to the experience.
The building’s old-world facade, combined with a bright, modern interior, provides the perfect backdrop for the artists’ work.
“It’s a fantastic space,” Ms Gleeson said.
“The outside has so much character, but inside it’s clean and spacious with freshly painted white walls. It’s been a dream to hang our work, and it’s really made the exhibition come to life.”
For the three artists’, bringing a touch of the relaxed hills vibe to the city has been a rewarding experience.
“Armadale has a very specific style, but it’s been amazing to share some of that peaceful, creative energy from the Dandenongs with the locals here,” Mr Russo said.
“People are genuinely excited that the space is being used, and they’ve been welcoming and curious. It feels great to be a part of the local community.”
‘Lustre’ is open every day from May 18 to 30, with viewing hours from 11am to 3pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.
The exhibition will close on Friday night, May 30.
To attend the soirée, RSVP via the link here: events.humanitix.com/lustre-popup-exhibition-soiree
Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just someone looking for a bit of sparkle, ‘Lustre’ offers a refreshing mix of styles and materials that’s sure to leave an impression.
