Bilpin artist space BigCi is preparing to cast the spotlight on its current artists in residence and their works at an open day planned for Sunday, November 1.
From 11am to 4pm, visitors will be introduced to Luke Foster, Julie Bartholomew and Melissa Anastasi.
Luke hails from Casuarina. His work for the open day consists of a series of drawings, a drawing video slide and a video installation.
The smaller drawings are largely self-reflective, representing a diary of his experiences while based at the BigCi, including his activities, the music he listened to and the people he has met.
Other drawings and videos were inspired by influential artists, writers, intellectuals and a book of his childhood memories.
Sydney-based Julie aims to bring greater awareness to bee populations, stress the importance of the Wollemi National Park as an inspirational environment and generate visually striking architectural structures for bees via her solo works.
Her intent is to build a series of clay prototype designs for larger habitable structures. It involved research sourced from local apiarists and incorporates the aesthetic features of the park.
Also from Sydney, Melissa has produced films which explore the intersection of personal relationships with gender, sexuality, class and race.
Working predominantly in narrative film, Melissa also creates video work for music and theatre.
For the open day Melissa will show her recent film 'Chlorine' (2019 Sydney Film Festival Fellowship Winner), an intimate portrait of a young thief living on the fringes. The project explores blood ties, the tension between familial obligations and the youthful desire for freedom.
Another highlight of the day will be a collaborative piece produced by Melissa and BigCi artistic director and sculptor Rae Bolotin.
Serving as an experiment combining two very different mediums, 'Fire' incorporates ephemeral sculptural forms, video projections and sound landscape, with both forms contributing towards a common narrative.
It aims to remind of the recent past while serving as a warning for the future.
All are welcome to attend the open day, but RVSPs are essential and can be made by emailing rae@bigci.org
It should be noted that BigCi staff and artists will be wearing masks during the open day. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own and wear them.
The BigCi is located at 82 Hanlons Road North, Bilpin.
For more information visit bigci.org.
