• ‘Elsewhere’ exhibition features new works created by celebrated Australian artists Ms Wendy Sharpe and Mr Bernard Ollis
• Includes sketches, drawings and paintings from recent travels through Syria, Iran, Egypt, Morocco and Central Asia
• The artworks reflect upon individual experiences of travel in an era shaped by photography and global media

An outstanding new art exhibition curated by Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) will open at the Glasshouse Port Macquarie on Friday 26 July.

The Charles Sturt touring exhibition ‘Elsewhere: Travels through Syria, Iran, Egypt, Morocco and Central Asia’ features new works created by celebrated Australian artists Ms Wendy Sharpe and Mr Bernard Ollis during their recent travels.

The exhibition was curated by Dr Sam Bowker, senior lecturer in art history and visual culture in the Charles Sturt School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga, and co-curated by art history student Ms Jessica Green.

“Wendy Sharpe and Bernard Ollis create art in response to humanity, and during their extensive journeys they created sketchbooks, drawings and paintings to record conversations and chance meetings with people from all walks of life,” Dr Bowker said.

“This exhibition inspires us all to see the world through the unique intimacy of the sketch and reflect upon individual experiences of travel in an era shaped by photography and global media.

“It is a perceptive journey through people and places that have been clouded by misapprehension, and these works will introduce the viewer to real people from distant nations, casting aside orientalism to reveal authentic encounters.”

Ms Wendy Sharpe is an Archibald Prize winner and former Official War Artist who also served on the Council of the Australian War Memorial.

Mr Bernard Ollis is a highly-regarded artist and former Director of the National Art School in Sydney.

Both are well-known for their extensive travel and humanitarian work, in addition to their well-established careers as visual artists.

“My co-curator Jessica Green made an outstanding contribution by interviewing these famous artists and writing a scholarly essay for her research project, and also assisted the installation of the exhibition,” Dr Bowker said.

“This may be the first Charles Sturt touring exhibition to be shown in this important regional gallery, and is a great opportunity to showcase the University’s art history and creative practice research to the Port Macquarie community.”

Dr Bowker will lead a tour of the exhibition at 3pm on Friday 26 July and attend the opening that night at Glasshouse, 32-40 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie.

RSVPs are essential via 6581 8888 or info@glasshouse.org.au

For more information see the exhibition catalogue and overview: https://www.glasshouse.org.au/Whats-On/Elsewhere-Travels-through-Syria-Iran-Egypt-Morocco-and-Central-Asia-Education-2019