By Joseph Ibic
An exhibition of works by late indigenous artist Josh Muir will become the first to feature in the newly re-opened Wyndham Art Gallery.
The gallery was temporarily closed late last year due to the Wyndham Cultural Centre theatre undergoing refurbishment and maintenance works.
To mark it’s re-opening, the gallery will host JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live, a touring exhibition curated by Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, September 28.
JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live, is the first major solo retrospective exhibition of Muir’s, who died in 2022.
The exhibition is co-curated by Muir’s partner Shanaya Sheridan, his mother Justine Berg and the curatorial team at KHT.
Muir a Yorta Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Barkindji artist, was born and raised in Wadawurrung country in Ballarat.
The exhibition title is taken from an artwork of the same name – Forever I Live (2015) – and references the ongoing legacy that continues to live in Muir’s artwork beyond life itself.
His artworks draw on a range of themes including cultural identity, the impacts and legacies of colonisation, extending to more personal experiences of mental health, addiction, loss and grief.
Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw described the exhibition, which fuses contemporary art, bold colour, and cultural resilience, as “stunning”.
The artworks in the exhibition include references to the late artist’s street art practice, colourful visuals and the use of VR/AR to tell a strong and evocative narrative.
“It is an impressive exhibition that uses colour and geometric patterning across a range of media, including painting, digital prints on aluminium, neon, animated video works and augmented reality experiences,” Cr Shaw said.
Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/venues/wyndham-art-gallery
