• The ‘Face Up’ exhibition features 27 artworks, including new arrivals, curated from the Charles Sturt Art Collection
• Exhibition features works by many renowned artists including Charles Blackman, Frank Medworth and Sidney Nolan
• The exhibition is free and will run between Monday 5 August and Friday 4 October

A new art exhibition will open at Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) in Dubbo between Monday 5 August and Friday 4 October.

The exhibition ‘Face Up’ has been curated with pieces from the Charles Sturt Art Collection, and features 27 artworks by 15 different artists, with each piece referencing numerous depictions of faces and heads.

Director of the University’s Art Collections and art curator of the exhibition, Dr Thomas A Middlemost, said the exhibition preferences Charles Sturt’s newest artwork, and also the printmaking medium of monotype.

“The exhibition will showcase several new arrivals to the Charles Sturt Art Collection that the University has never displayed before,” Dr Middlemost said.

“A highlight includes the Art Collection’s recently purchased set of circa 1962 Charles Blackman monotypes, with six of these set be on display at the exhibition.”

The exhibition features a wide range of artistic works, including traditional figure drawing through the 1940 work of Frank Medworth, who wrote a book on drawing; animal faces in tattoo flash form by Rona Green; and the faceless visage of Ned Kelly by Sidney Nolan.

Dr Middlemost said the ‘Face Up’ title refers to positioning something so that its front surface is positioned upwards, or to confront with courage someone or something representing a threat or unpleasantness.

“The name and overall theme of the exhibition could be in reference to an instruction or a command, to face up to one’s fears, to ‘pick one’s face up off the floor,” Dr Middlemost said.

“Each of the pieces have been carefully curated to reflect the ‘Face Up’ theme in some way.”

Charles Sturt’s campus development manager Mr Bart Sykes said the art exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to visit the Dubbo campus.

“The University here in Dubbo is excited to be hosting the ‘Face Up’ art exhibition because it is a great way to support artistic events in our community and for the University to connect with our local community,” Mr Sykes said.

“The gallery concept speaks to Charles Sturt’s commitment to the communities they are located in.

“All members of the public are welcome to attend the exhibition.”

Among the 27 artworks included in this exhibition are works by Weaver Hawkins, Arthur Wicks, Franck Gohier, Debra Luccio, Jason Greig, Klaus Freideberger, Guy Warren, Murray Walker, Rona Green, James Cant, Frank Medworth, John Percival, Sidney Nolan, Denis O’Connor, and Charles Blackman.

‘Face Up’ is in building 901 (main building) at Charles Sturt campus in Dubbo and will be open between 9am to 5pm from Monday 5 August and Friday 4 October. Viewings outside of these times are available by appointment by contacting Bart Sykes via email at bsykes@csu.edu.au.

The exhibition is free and open to all members of the public.