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World-first exhibition in Morwell provides stunning insight into Magritte

René Magritte: The Revealing Image, Photos and Films is a world-first exhibition which provides stunning insight into the life, work and thinking of René Magritte, one of the world’s most important 20 th Century artists.

By Portal Admin - 18th August 2017 - Back to News

The exhibition, to be held at Latrobe Regional Galley in Morwell, Victoria, Australia from 19 August to 19 November 2017, features 130 original photographs by and of Magritte, his family, friends and fellow artists. It also includes eight self-made films which give a behind-the- scenes view of Magritte’s world.

This exhibition, staged in collaboration with the Magritte Foundation Belgium, René Magritte: The Revealing Image, Photos and Films, marks the 50th anniversary of the Belgian Surrealist’s death. After its world-premiere in Morwell, René Magritte: The Revealing Image, Photos and Films will travel to Hong Kong, North and South America, and back to Europe.

Latrobe Regional Galley director Dr Mark Themann said René Magritte: The Revealing Image, Photos and Films was an opportunity to experience an amazing assembly of intimate and insightful photographs and films, many of which have never been exhibited previously.

"Magritte had a unique creative ability to enchant. He used the ordinary and the everyday to evoke the mysterious and to question our perceptions of reality," Dr Themann said.

"He is an iconic artist, whose influence on fellow artists, designers, film directors and visual culture continues to this day.

"It’s a magnificent opportunity to present this major international exhibition in our newly-renovated Latrobe Regional Galley in Morwell. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from the local region, around Australia, and the world."

Exhibition Chief Curator Xavier Canonne said the discovery of the photographs and films of René Magritte in the mid-1970s, 10 years after the painter’s death, and their subsequent appraisal and study, had given us an even greater appreciation of Magritte as an artist.

"There are a lot of connections between Magritte’s photos and films, and his famous paintings," Mr Canonne said.

"There are a lot of connections between Magritte’s photos and films, and his famous paintings. He was deeply interested by the possibilities of the images.

"The photos and films were used as models or documents for his paintings, and as experimental fields for his research, in order to find something more – to extend the possibilities of his universe.

"Through this exhibition we gain a greater sense and understanding of who Magritte was, how this informed his work, and why his art is so important."

Latrobe City Council mayor, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan said the Magritte exhibition was a wonderful opportunity to welcome the community into the redeveloped Gallery, and bring new people to the region.

"Art and culture are an important contributor to the livability of a region," Cr O’Callaghan said.

"Our redeveloped Gallery now gives us the ability to host more world-class exhibitions, such as Magritte.

"This will also have a positive impact on the community, and for the economic development of our region."

In conjunction with the opening of René Magritte: The Revealing Image, Photos and Films a book on the exhibition by Mr Canonne has been published by Ludion, distributed globally by Thames & Hudson.

Media Contact:

Katrina Raymond, MediaLink Productions

T: (03) 9663 3222 M: 0417 303 158

katrina@medialinkproductions.com

Lisa Mawson, Coordinator Communications, Latrobe City Council

T: (03) 5128 5458 M: 0408 078 528

Lisa.Mawson@latrobe.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com