jason nahrung

Unbearable…so you think I can eat plastic by Ken Makings. Picture: Ian Kemp

Backspace gallery is open Thursday 13 December until Sunday 16 December, noon-4pm, and again the following Thursday-Sunday. Please pop in and check out the art, much of which is for sale (there’s a Christimas hint for you!).

Two of our writers got so inspired, they submitted two poems, but only one each could be used in the exhibition.

To mark the reopening of Backspace tomorrow, here is the poem from Rhonda Poholke that didn’t get used in Weathering the Future, responding to Ken Making’s “Unbearable…”. [click here to read, or hear, Rhonda’s other poem.] Enjoy:

A Helpless Animal Cries to the Earth

Because there is a crack running through
the chill white dawn, and the sky is melting
into the blood-thick horizon,
and I
feel every ache and weight pressing
against your heartbeat.
I’d mention the fish too – but there are
none to speak of anymore,
so I listen
for an echoing syllable of hope
and I cry
and starve and die for you.

On Sunday 16 December, the Art Gallery of Ballarat is having a gala launch of its summer program from 2pm till 5pm. It’s a perfect opportunity to pop into Backspace, too!

Audience at Weathering the Future launch, Saturday 8 December 2018.

Weathering the Future has been officially launched!

Ballarat City councillor Belinda Coates

We were very pleased to be joined by Ballarat City councillor Belinda Coates, who gave a short address at the launch ceremony, which was introduced by the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Peter Freund. The exhibition is run under the council’s community arts program through Backspace Gallery.

Jessica Wilkinson, Fraser Mackay and Kirstyn McDermott read their works from the exhibition, with an introduction by Weathering the Future curator Jason Nahrung, before Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart officially launched the exhibition.

Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart

The icing on the cake came with Reuben Morgan playing his piano piece “Mother Earth”, written for the exhibition.

A rough count put the audience at more than 140, and two sales were recorded, which was especially gratifying.

Our thanks to everyone who was able to come, those who helped run the event — including the catering staff! — and all those who helped spread the word, including some wonderfully helpful Facebook pages.

Above all, people came, people saw, people enjoyed. Job well done, everyone!

The exhibition continues Thursdays to Sundays, noon-4pm, until and including December 23.