LOCAL artists have been given an opportunity to promote themselves and sell their artworks in a new exhibition at Warburton’s Upper Yarra Arts Centre.
Underworlds, an exhibition created by six artists aged under 25, will be held until Thursday 21 February at the arts centre and each artist has a strong connection to the Warburton community.
The exhibition explores themes under the surface of reality, such as myth, storytelling, magic and the duality of human experiences.
The artists contributing to the exhibition are Alice Chalmers, Rebecca Kate, Claire Maud, Amber Koula, Paige Zidar and Molly McPhie and all lived in the Yarra Valley for most of their teenage years.
Claire Maud, currently lives in Millgrove and specialises in canvas painting, which she says runs in the family.
“My mum and her side of the family are very art-oriented,” she said.
“Four of my aunties have the gene – I’ve been making art my whole life.”
Claire, 21, said that the exhibition was an idea that the group, who are all friends, came up with together.
“It was over a year ago when we started thinking about it,” she said.
“We decided that a group exhibition would be fun.
Once the exhibition was organised, Claire said that there was about a year-long wait for the opening, which gave the artists time to organise their works.
She said that the exhibition was a good opportunity for the artists to get their work into the local community and make themselves more well known.
“It’s been really nice – a lot of friends have come out to support us,” Claire said.
“You always get more support when you show your work locally.
“Especially in Warburton, which is such an art-based community.”
Claire said that, as of Thursday 7 February, each artist had sold at least one of their works and that the exhibition was a “great success”.
Underworlds will be displayed at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre until Thursday 21 February.
For more information, call 5966 4500.
