Melbourne as you’ve never seen it before
September 1, 2011
Living, breathing, thriving, Mapology Melbourne is a clever exhibition by artist, Pamela Bain, injecting new life into the City of Melbourne map and opening next Tuesday 6th September in the urban art space Fortyfive Downstairs.
Altering our view of the city in which we live, Bain uncovers the irregularly shaped suburb boundaries, and a matrix of roadways and public transport routes, transforming them into a fluid and organic series of works on paper and paintings.
Pam is constantly stimulated by new discoveries and the data that lurks within the coded charts. Researching historic and recently developed maps of Melbourne, Bain’s curiosity has unearthed information such as South Yarra falling in both the cities of Stonnington and Melbourne, that the Royal Melbourne Hospital has its own post code and Melbourne’s subdivision into separate council districts commenced mid nineteenth century.
Revealing a fresh and novel version of the city, Pamela’s anthropomorphic styling exudes a sense of biology in some pieces, while in others a rich earthy flavour is achieved.
“The interlocking shapes that form the city’s boundaries and neighbouring districts are analogous of the human body: an organism having individual components that function together as a whole much the same as cities of people do,” explains Bain.
Relocating to Melbourne fifteen years ago, Pam found it strange and unfamiliar. Maps became integral to her geographical adjustment and a valuable tool in her efforts to make Melbourne feel like home.
“Mapology Melbourne is a visual story of line, colour, shape and pattern: a celebration of time and place that reacquaints the viewer with a version of Melbourne that may at first be strange, but on further inspection becomes a more recognizable place: a space with a sense of home,” said Bain.
Bain encourages you to explore your suburbs from a new perspective on opening night with guest speaker Jane Hoiting, Fellow of the Royal Geological Society, Consultant for Global Nomad Events and Australian promoter for Earth From Above. Mapology Melbourne will be running until 17 September with the gallery open from 11am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 12pm – 4pm on Saturdays.
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Interview/Photo Opportunity
Pam Bain is available for interviews and photos both on the opening night and prior to the opening. To organise please contact Pam directly on 0414 256 538.
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