In an upcoming exhibition ‘New Territories’, independent Melbourne artist Steve Leadbeater shares a body of work developed in remote Queenstown, Tasmania.
Leadbeater took part in the Q Bank Artist Residency program, living and working within an historic bank building in the town’s centre.
He says, ‘No one, especially me, expected the location to affect my work so dramatically. I was there for three weeks and from day one I was overwhelmed with natural inspiration from the Tasmanian wilderness. It’s impossible to ignore. For the first time in decades I started working on pieces with nature as the subject and even my human subjects became more organic in appearance. The exhibition name ‘New Territories’ seemed to sum up the exploration I’ve done in the work and in the place.’
When asked about Queenstown Leadbeater adds, ‘It’s an historic mining town that was in decline on the state’s rugged west coast, but now real estate is cheap and in demand again. The people have an optimistic sense of town pride, perhaps from living in a lush green valley, surrounded by majestic peaks. The art community is strong, ambitious and very supportive.’
His residency work is unlike what we’ve come to expect from the 47 year old. Although the brutal mark marking and emotionally complex imagery remain.
But not everything in the show is from the residency. There’s also a large and varied body of created over the last two years which haven’t been seen by the public. Here Leadbeater explores his personal experience of Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns with work on found objects, providing a fresh, tactile approach to what could otherwise be an unsurprising theme.
The New Territories show lives up to its name in many ways you won’t want to miss.
U N M I S S A B L E O P E N I N G N I G H T
Friday 18 FEBRUARY 6 – 11pm
MARFA Gallery
Level 1 / 288 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
Additional drawings and prints available plus complimentary refreshments from Bodriggy Brewing.
