“PASSAGE” is the product of two recent stays by artist/writer/ political satirist Bryan Dawe in the port city of Tangier, Morocco. His previous exhibition, “Tangier Illusions” was first shown in Tangier in February, 2017. At the Octagon ArtSpace, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, June 30-July 31. Opening and “meet the artist”, 1pm-3pm, Sunday, July 1, all welcome.

MEGALO Print Studio + Gallery has announced the first Megalo International Print Prize with an impressive $18,500 in prize money, made up of first prize, $10,000; second prize, $5000 and people’s choice, $1000, with the Lerida estate acquisitive prize of $2500. Entries to megalo.org by 5pm, September 23. Artists may enter up to two works each.

AS part of the Winter Film Series, Robin McKenna’s film “Gift,” shot in British Columbia, Rome, Nevada and Australia, explores how artistic expression and generosity of spirit are an antidote to materialism. James O Fairfax Theatre, National Gallery of Australia, 6.30pm Wednesday, June 27, bookings to nga.gov.au

“SANCTUARY: A Year at Mulligans Flat” is an exhibition of paintings by emerging Canberra artist Emily Birks of the unique and vulnerable creatures who call Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary home. Strathnairn Arts, 90 Stockdill Drive, Holt, until July 22, 10am-4pm, Thursday to Sunday. Opening by Dr Kate Grarock, ecologist at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, 4pm, Saturday, June 30, all welcome.

PHOTOACCESS is presenting two separate bodies of work by Sydney video artist Jason Wing, who identifies with his Chinese and Aboriginal heritage, in “Brute Force >> Merge Sort” and “Ask Us What We Want,” exploring issues of bi-cultural and indigenous political identity.

AS well, Talia Smith, who identifies with her Cook Island, Samoan and NZ European heritage, showcases video artworks paired with poetic writing that ruminates on distance, in “A Long Distance Relationship (One to Three)”, which resulted from a year-long video project attempts to make sense of the emotional and physical distance between the past, present and the future. Both shows are in the Huw Davies Gallery,  Manuka Arts Centre, June 27-July 22. Opening 6pm, Wednesday, June 27, all welcome.

ARTISTS Julie Spencer and Tim Brook will talk about their current exhibitions, “City Lights” and “Australian Landscape” respectively at M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, 1pm-2pm, Thursday, June 28, free event, all welcome.

 

GOLD, silversmithing and sculpture graduate from the ANU, Steven Worthington, is holding a workshop showcasing his open-source “reconfigurable jewellery” system, “Playful Memories”, that allows wearers to play with form and function themselves. Visitors can select components, watch the piece come to life and buy it. Kin Gallery, 6/27 Lonsdale Street Braddon, Canberra, from 10am to 4pm on June 30.

CANBERRA Contemporary Art Space’s “Choose Your Own Adventure” members’ show opens at 6pm on Friday (June 29) with the winner of $500 announced on the night. All welcome but new members are encouraged to sign up at ccas.com.au/membership

PULITZER Prize-winning art critic Sebastian Smee will present the keynote address in a forum at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday (June 30) and Sunday (July 1). The forum will be preceded by the inaugural Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture, presented by Prof Tim Bonyhady, at 6pm on Friday (June 29). Bookings and the full program at portrait.gov.au

IN the new exhibition, “So Fine: Contemporary women artists make Australian history”, part of the NPG’s 20th birthday celebrations, curators Sarah Engledow and Christine Clark propose the idea that the art of women distinguishes itself by “a habit of serious thinking and a meticulous approach to creation”. National Portrait Gallery, June 29-October 1.

ANU Classics Museum is holding a happy hour in the museum, (AD Hope Building, ANU) at 6pm-7.30pm on Friday, June 29. Guest speaker will be Dr Ina Kehrberg-Ostrasz, who excavated for several decades in Jerash in Jordan. A donation of $5 per person will go to support the museum and its activities.

 

 

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