Reunion: a group show 2023

Artists:

• Joyful Anne

• David Gubert

• Michael Haagensen

• Ulvi Haagensen

• Anna Holiday

• Craig Kershaw

• Kate Kershaw

• Alisan Smotlak

• Linda Swinfield

• Kathleen Zanardo

ReUnion is a celebration of friendship. The ten of us met as art students in 1983 and recently reconnected via zoom and social media to rekindle what originally brought us together. Two reunion get-togethers in the Blue Mountains in 2021 and 2022 further cemented this connection.

Out of these initial moments we felt it fitting to also initiate an art-based reunion through a group exhibition in 2023 to mark the anniversary of our initial meeting 40 years ago. This one-week exhibition is a celebration of our enduring connections and reconnection.

Work presented in this exhibition has travelled from as far away as Estonia in Northern Europe, regional NSW, the Blue Mountains and from all across Sydney. ReUnion as an exhibition is not concerned with being 'cool' or trendy, nor is it about sales or success as art professionals, but connection, reconnection and a celebration of friendship.

Many of the artists in this exhibition are re-emerging as artists with their own art practice after all of life's odd twists and turns. Some walked away from art for a time and others have worked within the arts industry and promoting the work of others. The works on show emerge from a variety of motives and a diversity of materials and studio practices, some conceptual and some not.

Opening: Saturday 17th of June 4-6pm - with a poetry reading by Mark Mahmoff

Exhibition dates: 16th June - 21st June

https://upnext.com.au/event/reunion-a-group-show-2023

Check out our website https://upnext.com.au/sydney

Check out our Vimeo channel https://vimeo.com/upnextsydney

Check out our Youtube channel UpNext Sydney Youtube