Here In Spirit

An inspired and inspiring selection of religious and spiritual works feature in the current exhibition at the Crows Nest Regional Art Gallery.

Curated by gallery officer Jo Petrou, the exhibition titled 'Here In Spirit' features works of religious and spiritual significance by Dianne Turner, Nadia Kliendanze, Garth Hockly, Helen Pearson, Amahl Gaafar, Jan Kolarski, Fiona Omeenyo and Tracey Hanlon.

The artists live within and beyond the Toowoomba region with Nadia Kliendanze of Inverell, New South Wales and Dianne Turner of nearby Pechey both former finalists in the Blake Prize for Religious Art.

Caption: 'The Garden of Heavenly Delights' by Nadia Kliendanze, part of the Crows Nest Gallery's current exhibition

Dianne Turner was the first artist from our region to be accepted into the Blake Prize as well as the first naïve artist ever to be accepted.

Turner's captivating icons will be gracing the gallery walls, along with a vibrant and charming series in her naïve style inspired by the Lutheran community of Ironbark and Mt Binga.

The gallery will display Kliendanze's enchanting painting 'The Garden of Heavenly Delights' which was also selected for the front cover of the 2010 Australian Religious Diary.

A Dreamtime story of the sea snake Miiku features in a distinctive screenprint by Lockhart River artist Fiona Omeenyo on loan from a private collection.

Amahl Gaafar's visual journey reflects imagery from her Sudanese background - Omdurman's streets, people's faces and poetry in Arabic - particularly the dobait (traditional Northern Sudanese poetry) and Qur'anic verses.

Beloved local artist Helen Pearson returns to the Crows Nest Gallery for the first time since her sell-out show in 2008 with works inspired by the poetry in which she finds her spiritual refuge.

Meanwhile her sister, glass-artist Jan Kolarski contributes a spectacular 'passion piece' inspired by the significance of the cross and its importance to her faith.

Emotive bronzes by Ravensbourne sculptor Garth Hockly portray characters from the Bible such as Lazarus, David and Bathsheba and remind us of some of the stories and vows that have become so familiar in our lives.

'Here in Spirit' will be on display from Tuesday, November 29 until Friday, December 23 before the gallery's Christmas closure from December 24 to January 17.

Crows Nest Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 11.30am to 4pm.