29th Annual Mayoral Art Exhibition acquisitions announced

Published on 09 April 2024

The 2024 Mayoral Art Exhibition is now open at Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery, with four new pieces acquired for Council’s permanent art collection. 

The Mayoral Art Exhibition is a yearly fundraiser for the Bone Marrow Donor Institute and is supported by Maroondah City Council and the Ringwood East and Croydon Community Bendigo Bank. 

This year’s theme, Tangent, invited artists in an open call-out to submit works of all mediums. From realism to abstraction or traditional to contemporary, artists have been invited to go on a tangent, thinking differently and experimenting with subjects, materials or techniques. All works submitted are exhibited.

2024 permanent collection acquisitions

Each year, the Mayor selects a small number of works from the submitted entries to be acquired for Council’s Maroondah Art Collection. 

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Kylie Spears, thanked artists for their entries. 

“Thank you to all of the artists who have taken part in this year’s Mayoral Art Exhibition. It’s been wonderful to see so many artists sharing their talents and taking on the challenge to experiment with their work, resulting in an incredible range of styles and approaches,” Cr Spears said.

“This is our largest ever Mayoral Art Exhibition, with 124 artists exhibiting 182 different works. With this in mind, it was quite a challenge to select only a small number of works!

“I encourage our community to experience the exhibition, as it showcases works from across our community and highlights the strength of Maroondah’s vibrant arts scene.” 

Katherine Masiulanis - Heathmont Artist Book

Katherine Masiulanis said Heathmont Artist Book builds on a collection of works that “look deeply and slowly at places” while trying to “record the sensory experience of being there.”

The piece combines plants from the local area with “historical documents… hanko stamps developed for different parts of Heathmont, and depictions of some of the places, fauna and flora that make it special,” Katherine said. 

Katherine Masiulanis, Heathmont Artist Book, 2024, eco-dyed paper ink gouache

Alistair Fowler - The Tan-Gent and The Tan-Gents Best Mate 

Two of Alistair Fowler’s ceramic works have been selected this year. 

“I’m deeply honoured and thrilled that my works have been acquired by Maroondah City Council. These works were exhibited in this show in loving memory of my sister Jill Kellett, a long-standing supporter of the arts and resident of Maroondah,” Alistair said. 

(Front) Alistair Fowler, The Tan-Gent, 2024, ceramic. (Back) Alistair Fowler, The Tan-Gents Best Mate, 2024, ceramic

Claire Bridge - Grenade

Claire Bridge said Grenade uses humour and satire to address “important issues of gender, violence and the objectification of women.” 

"I am delighted that my sculpture Grenade has been chosen. … The sculpture morphs into a grenade, as both an expression of the volatile dangers faced by Queer and female bodies and a celebration of the dynamic force of our creativity and resilience,” Claire said. 

Claire Bridge, Grenade, 2018, glazed stoneware ceramic, nickel plated steel, rubber, enamel. Image courtesy of the artist.

Ringwood East and Croydon Community Bendigo Bank Acquisition 

Sand Goanna by Thulli Mara - Spirit Walker was chosen as the 2024 Ringwood East and Croydon Community Bendigo Bank Acquisition. 

“Art is a bridge between cultures, and the purchase of my work by Bendigo Bank not only validates my creativity but also honours the rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage, fostering unity and understanding,” Thulli Mara said.

Thulli Mara - Spirit Walker, Sand Goanna, 2024, acrylic on canvas

Mayoral Art Exhibition and the Bone Marrow Donor Institute

Council is proud to support the work of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute through the Mayoral Art Exhibition.

The Mayoral Art Exhibition helps raise funds for the crucial work of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute while showcasing the wonderful talents of all participating artists. 

All artists involved in the Tangent exhibition have generously agreed to donate 25 percent commission from the sale of their works to the Croydon Branch of the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. 

Visit the Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery to view the 29th Mayoral Art Exhibition until Saturday 4 May.