By Jasmeet Kaur Sahi
A new exhibition celebrating the Louis Joel Gallery’s 20th birthday explores themes of care for both nature and community through memory, creativity and storytelling.
Louis Joel Arts and Community (LJAC) in Altona has served local people in more ways than one by creating a space for connection and community wellbeing through accessible programs, workshops and art exhibitions.
So, in keeping with its annual tradition, and coinciding with its 20-year anniversary, Louis Joel Gallery is hosting the community exhibition Nature is a Home, developed and shaped through community consultations, workshops and online feedback.
LJAC Manager Karen Ingram says there are very few opportunities for creatives in Melbourne’s west to connect and represent their practice in a group exhibition.
“Louis Joel Arts & Community is proud to present community-based exhibitions, which reflect connection to place, as we did in 2024 with the Altona Pier Revue,” she says. “These exhibitions would not be possible without sponsors and grants, and the dedication of our Centre staff and volunteers, and we hope they will continue.”
The theme of the exhibition came out of community consultations and outreach through collage-making workshops with local creatives and community members.
“The workshops held with local artists and LJAC program participants started important conversations, not only in developing the theme through activities that reflected the past twenty years of the Centre, but also what could the next twenty years look like,” says Karen. “It also set the scene to meet the need of creatives in the west to connect and create together, a bit like catching a wave.”
A special shout out to: Dev Rajash Kuderu, Rohini Vij, Mukul Khattar, Jenny Rutsch, Jill Clifford Pung, Frances Wiegerink, John Anrep, Peter Spring, Elijah John, Helen Maddern, LJAC student volunteers Dione & Chrissie, Tariro Mavondo, Avrille Burrows, Peter Roberts, Ronaldo San Andres, Karen Ingram, Simone Chappell, Fatima Measham, Mary Quinsacara and Melissa Bandara for their time, enthusiasm and creativity.
Participants in the workshops created beautiful collages and shared insights into their creations. Some of these were: a strong desire to be amongst nature, staying connected with friends and families, and having more opportunities to create art. Reflecting on these collages and conversations, a theme slowly emerged.
Nature is a home, and home is more than a location – it’s a story we tell and retell. A story shaped by memory, community, survival and care.
A thought that persisted throughout the process was: is caring for the Earth and caring for each other any different?
An expression of interest was opened in March inviting artists to apply, attracting nearly 40 submissions from artists based in Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Wyndham and Maribyrnong. Artists who applied to show their work – some of which were new, some a work in progress and some already made – were at all stages of their careers, from emerging to established.
“It has been heartening to see a range of responses to the theme, articulated in different mediums as well as messages,” says Karen. “Ultimately creatives in the west highlight the fragility and necessity of nature as a home, the connection between belonging, memories and hope.”
LJAC Manager Karen Ingram selected the finalists, along with Zoe Jones, who heads exhibitions and engagement at LJAC. “We had to make tough decisions based on space, theme, and the need to balance a wide range of voices and mediums within the show,” says Karen.
Artists have used ceramics, photography, paint and painting, sculpture, written text, film, paper and found materials to give voice to their artistic expression in the exhibition. “We are thrilled to be hosting this exhibition that represents a strong connection the artists have with their place in nature – a home for us all.”
Nature is a Home exhibition has been made possible because of the kind support of Hobsons Bay City Council and Sweeney Estate Agents.
Nature is a Home opens Saturday, June 28, 12pm at Louis Joel Arts & Community, Altona. Jasmeet Kaur Sahi is the facilitator and curator of Nature is a Home.
