By Jed Lanyon
YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub’s new FACE to FACE exhibition opened on Thursday 5 September featuring a range of portraits, including Yarra Valley artist Raelene Sharp’s portrait of actor John Wood, which won the Packing Room Prize 2012 at the Archibald Prize.
Award winning portrait artist Vincent Fantauzzo has his 30/30 portraits collection on display, which includes paintings of famous Australians, including Ron Barrassi, Bob Hawke, Asher Keddie and George Calombaris.
In 2014, Mr Fantauzzo painted the portraits of 30 Australians from all different walks of life in just 30 days.
Gallery director Andrew Chew said, “This is the first time we have invited an artist outside the Yarra Valley Arts Association to come and exhibit with us.
“We’ve got eight Yarra Valley artists who are painting notable people from around the Yarra Valley.”
Mr Chew said he hopes the exhibition will help to continue to raise the profile of the arts in the area.
“It’s to bring in new audiences out here to see what we’re doing and to see and to showcase all the Yarra Valley artists.”
Mr Chew said that he is excited to see the progress of the YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub just four months since their grand opening.
“The numbers through the door of the gallery has been pretty phenomenal. We’ve had four shows where 2000 people have come through the gallery already.
“We want to raise the awareness of the amount of artists and the quality of art that is coming out of the Yarra Valley.”
Jenny Reddin’s oil on canvas portrait of the late Dr Tony Jordan is another feature of the exhibition.
Tony was credited with having established the sparkling wine industry in the Yarra Valley.
Ms Reddin said she sought to capture Tony’s intelligence and depth of character with her portrait.
“I’m really excited to see this connection that we’re doing with this big headlining artist and our Yarra Valley artist,” Mr Chew said.
“Seeing those works sitting alongside each other will be what I’m looking forward to most.
“This is just the beginning of what we’re trying to do.”
The 30/30 portrait collection has been loaned to YAVA courtesy of Wonderment Walk.
The FACE to FACE exhibition is on display until 29 September at YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub – 252 Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
