By Mikayla van Loon
Art has been sprucing up some of Victoria’s most loved piers throughout summer for the last four years in a public art display taking hold of beachside towns.
This emerging tradition has now reached the Yarra Valley with the first ever winery installation on display in the grounds of Chateau Yering.
The collection of works from mostly Victorian artists and a selection from those around Australia brings an array of style, technique and materials in an accessible garden setting.
Founder and curator of what is now known as Art on the Pier, originally the Queenscliff Art Prize, Chris Macleod said it began as a way to bring some life and colour to the Queenscliff Pier.
It then expanded to South Melbourne and Rosebud piers, with a guest location each year which is how it came to Yering.
“It’s become a bit of, I think, a much loved event in those places. They sit so perfectly on the piers because the railing is there, and you just attach them,” MacLeod said.
“And a nice thing about having them on the piers is that when you look down the pier because of the angle the art is on, you almost can’t see it, so it has a very low visual impact for the environment.
“But as you walk down the pier, there’s one there and there’s one there. So it goes very well.”
From 1960s beach-scapes to abstract works and photography, the array of artworks lend themselves to colour and texture, despite being inspired by all landscapes from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cairns, Perth, Orange, Daylesford and Anglesea.
The way the exhibition works is artists submit a high-resolution digital image of their original artwork, which MacLeod then places on quality canvas with the artist’s name, the location of the exhibit and the title of the work.
MacLeod then covers the work in a clear sheeting to enable it to withstand the elements of both sea and valley.
Some artists submit multiple works and many have returned each year to present their work.
“I often get photographs on the pier of the artist who has come down with their family,” MacLeod said.
“They’re just so happy. They get a chance to see their work exhibited in a unique setting.”
MacLeod said receiving messages of thanks and appreciation, as well as the photos and stories of artists visiting the piers, makes it so worthwhile.
“(Artist) Stephen Richards, he had his work on the South Melbourne pier, and he took public transport from Broadmeadows eight times to visit the exhibition. They just love it,” he said.
“And understandably, there’s a great sense of pride to go, ‘Hey, that’s my work’. And I know he sold quite a number of the original and a number of commissions from the exhibit.”
Trialling the exhibition at Chateau Yering, MacLeod said he also has one planned for Oakdene Winery in Wallington.
“From the winery’s point of view, they quite rightly think it’s a nice attraction. You attract more people to come and eat and drink and enjoy the outdoor exhibition. From the artist’s point of view, they get to enjoy the extra eyeballs and exposure.”
There’s currently around 80 artworks on display at Chateau Yering, spaced evenly throughout the beautiful landscaped gardens.
“They’re outside and somewhere that attracts large numbers of people and each one can enjoy the glory as much as the next,” MacLeod said.
The works will be positioned in the gardens until 30 June, with the works on display in Queenscliff until 30 April.
Rosebud Pier will see the works pop up on 1 February and be installed until 30 May, while South Melbourne Pier will launch on 15 May and be on display until 30 September.
“It’s over 24 hours. It’s free. It attracts a good demographic, the people come and then they come back again and take photographs of it.
“Especially at the piers, the ever changing natural environment, every time you go there, it’s different which is nice.”
To view more about the featured artists or to inquire about submitting for next year, go to queenscliffartprize.com.au
