Members Event— ANCA studio visit and afternoon tea

The Australian National Capital Artists Inc. (ANCA) is an independent not-for-profit artist-run initiative in Canberra, Australia. ANCA was established in July 1989 as a collaboration between the ACT Government and representatives of Canberra’s Visual Arts community. ANCA provides affordable and professional studio and exhibition space to artists. ANCA has 35 studio spaces that it leases to professional artists across two campuses (Dickson and Mitchell). With support from artsACT, ANCA Gallery opened in 1992. The Gallery presents a professional program of art exhibitions and events, supporting critical approaches to contemporary arts practice.

Please join us for some talks at ANCA Dickson, we will chat with David Williams about how the organisation was founded and then take a closer look at the studio practices of three resident artists; Peter Alwast, Raquel Ormella and Karen Lee.

Peter Alwast has held over 18 solo exhibitions and has been shown in group exhibitions at the Tate Modern (London), Museum of Old and New Art (Tasmania), the Greater Taipei Biennial, the Australian Centre for Photography (Sydney), GOMA – Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, among others. His work is held in public and private collections in Australia and the United States. Alwast’s practice employs a range of media including painting, video, computer graphics and drawing.

Raquel Ormella has a diverse artistic practice that includes video, installation, textiles and creating zines. Her works investigates how art can encourage political consciousness and social action in relation to questions of national identity and the environment. Her PhD (conferred 2015) examined human interactions with urban birds. The accompanying dissertation examined recent Australian artworks that used living animals as performers and props.

As a designer Karen Lee is interested in the narrative formed by sculpting a collection through the manipulation of fabric by draping, layering, and pinning. She is conscious of creating fashion with integrity. With a focus on slow fashion and connecting with social and environmental responsibility, she creates beautiful, well made garments with sophisticated silhouettes and simple lines. Her garments are long lasting and transcend body shapes and sizes.

Tea, coffee and afternoon tea will be provided.

Image: Grand Opening of ANCA Dickson