The best of visual arts in April and May

Mel Brigg, The Awakening, Linton & Kay

April sees the opening of the new Holmes à Court Gallery in Perth, the launch of the TASF Art Awards in Fremantle and a new book by visiting artist Jean-Michel Cholette. New and emerging Aboriginal artists are showing at Fremantle Arts Centre and established artists such as Mel Brigg, Nigel Hewitt, and Clyde McGill all have solo exhibitions. In York, Gallery 152 is hosting Mandy Renard from VIC for her first WA show and down south the Margaret River Region Open Studios and Unearthed Festival Pemberton celebrate local artists and invite you visit their studios for a peak into their creative lives. Use our shortlist to decide what to see or check our Visual Arts page for a comprehensive guide to the 80+ exhibitions showing in April and May.

Highlights

Mel Brigg - Departures Now - May 9, Linton & Kay Subiaco Mel Brigg’s landscape subjects evoke memories of place, locations well known and oft visited, created through almost abstract dashes of paint that build to form lively, engaging surfaces. This is a must-see exhibition and there are still a number of very special paintings available. (Featured image above: Mel Brigg, The Awakening) (Image: Mel Brigg, Shoreline) Thanato Templi by Jean-Michel Cholette Pre-order the new book by the currently Perth-based Canadian artist, Jean-Michel Cholette. The book, which comes with a foreword by Paul Buratti (Buratti Fine Art) features Cholette’s unique artworks that explore the darker aspects of the human condition through occult symbolism. Revealed: new and emerging WA Aboriginal artists Now - May 21, Fremantle Arts Centre A showcase of the diverse and vibrant state of Aboriginal art. With paintings, prints, carvings, photography, textiles, video, weaving and more, it includes works from over 80 artists, many from remote areas alongside those from regional centres and Perth.​ (Image: Victor Burton Nyiirnkajarra 2016. Courtesy of the artist and Spinifex Hill Studios Port Hedland) Clyde McGill - The Border Crossers Apr 21 - May 13, Holmes a Court Gallery @ no. 10 The first exhibition at Holmes à Court Gallery's new space is accompanied by performances of Dolorosa: An Opera on Sunday afternoons and a Speakers Day on May 5. In 2007 Clyde McGill began looking at borderlands as they relate to refugees who come by boat, and his paintings contain their stories. (Image: Clyde McGill The Border Crosser (Guest), 2013. Copyright and courtesy the artist.) Listening for Songs Apr 21 - May 27, Gallery 152, York Meet Mandy Renard, one of Australia’s foremost printmakers, at her first WA show which explores the connection between art and music and how shared principles keep them closely connected. Also featured in this exhibition is the work of Erinswindow, Ros Meeker, Tara Badcock and Jen Winterbottom aka Shelf Life Ceramics. Listening for Songs opens with an artist talk by Mandy on Saturday at 2pm. (Image: Mandy Renard, Gardener) The Artisan Store Fremantle TASF Awards May 4-27, Fremantle Pop-up Gallery The Artisan Store Fremantle is hosting its first annual Art Awards to promote emerging and established West Australian artists. This exciting new art event, that will be encompassing of all things Fremantle as an arts community represents, will showcase artists across 2D, 3D, Textiles, Jewellery and Photography with all works available for purchase. Nigel Hewitt - Recinder Apr 30 - May 19, Gallery Central Senior WA artist Hewitt’s work uses ash from Tasmanian bush fires. These uneasy landscapes bring to light colonial attitudes and forgotten histories through a political portrait of contemporary Australia; a personal reflection on history, land and an identity contested. (Image: Nigel Hewitt, Ghosts on the Tarn Shelf, 2017, ash, polymer on canvas, (detail)  Photograph by Bewley Shaylor) Hatched Canvass – Alumni in Conversation Apr 21, PICA Join a conversation with alumni about life after Hatched, PICA's annual show of emerging artists. If you are curious about the doors contemporary art opens The Hatched: National Graduate Show maps the trends and concerns of Australia’s next generation of artists. Untitled May 5 - June 10, Heathcote Gallery This body of work is a collaboration between Andy Quilty and an unnamed artist, who is currently a Curtin Masters candidate and an inmate at a WA prison. It includes drawing, painting and installation; exploring ideas around punishment and rehabilitation and societal attitudes toward the incarcerated. (Image: Untitled, 2016, laser print on aluminium, 29 x 42cm (detail)

Not to be missed down South

Douglas Kirsop

Margaret River Region Open Studios Apr 28 - May 13, Margaret River Region During Australia’s largest open studios event, 131 artists from Busselton to Augusta will open their doors in their homes, barns, in wineries, art galleries, a retro petrol station, and even an ice cream dairy so art appreciators can meet and view their latest works. (Featured image above: Doug Kirsop) (Image: Ian Mutch, mural Dunsborough) Unearthed Festival Pemberton April 26 - May 6, Pemberton Region Art, heritage and sculpture is a big part of the festival and the Pemberton Arts Group’s Annual Art Prize “Unearth Discover Embrace” attracts artists from all over the State. This year’s festival features 5 art and photography exhibitions and an open studio as well as ticketed workshops. (Image: Trails, hosted by The Pemberton Fine Woodcraft Gallery) Open Studio & Exhibition Apr 26 - May 6, Artist Peter Kovacsy Studio Visit Peter Kovacsy for a tour through his workshop and gallery during the Unearthed Pemberton Festival. Peter works with wood and cast glass sculptures and was one of this year's short-listed artists for the prestigious Tom Malone Prize 2018. (Image: Peter Kovacsy).