Unlemon – a meandering tale of citrus reveals a multilayered story of citrus – its origins, trajectory, diversity and tenacity, is open from Saturday 14 January at Griffith Regional Art Gallery, kicking off the 2023 season.
Featuring the work of South Australian artist, Alison Mitchell, this exhibition of over 40 still-life oil paintings unfolds the story of citrus. From its origins approximately 20 million years ago on the Gondwana supercontinent, through its trade routes from China and Persia to the Mediterranean and the Americas, and on to its uses in medicine and culinary practices, the humble citrus is elevated in this exquisite exhibition.
Art Gallery Coordinator, Ray Wholohan said Alison's exhibition begins with a reimagining of seventeenth century Dutch art where paintings of citrus with peels unfurling evoked representations of wealth, exoticism, trade and expansion.
"The exhibition continues in the still life genre, exploring citrus' symbiotic relationship with us humans, in both its global success and the disease that threatens to devastate the species," said Mr Wholohan.
"Underpinning this is the crucial role played by Australia's own native citrus."
Manager of Griffith Regional Theatre and Art Gallery, Ms Margaret Andreazza added, opening the Galley's 2023 exhibitions program with Unlemon – a meandering tale of citrus was a logical choice due to Griffith's and the greater MIA's long and prosperous history as a major producer of Australian citrus.
"We hope local citrus producers will resonate Alison's unique exhibition," she said.
South Australian artist Alison Mitchell was born in Malaysia and her family moved to Mount Gambier in the mid-sixties where she spent her primary and secondary school years – enjoying all the swimming, sport, horse and bike-riding that a country childhood allows. It was probably the gardening and botanising of her parents though that gently influenced the direction her art would take.
Alison works predominantly in watercolour and oils, and her still life painting is of a tradition deeply embedded in the practice of careful observation of things intentionally arranged and composed in the studio. Unlemon which was first exhibited in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, is informed by this as well as her studies in anthropology and Asian art history.
Unlemon – a meandering tale of citrus will be on exhibition to the general public from Saturday 14 of January until Sunday 19 February.
For all enquiries about the please contact Griffith Regional Art Gallery on 6962 8338.
