Internationally Renowned Exhibition Transforms Griffith Regional Art Gallery Into Creative Oasis

Griffith Regional Art Gallery presents the national touring exhibition Lost in Palm Springs that brings together the creative minds of 14 internationally recognised artists, photographers and thinkers from America and Australia.

The exhibition, curated by award-winning Australian writer and conceptual artist, Dr Greer Honeywill, officially opens tonight, March 8 at 6 pm.

Lost in Palm Springs is a multidisciplinary exhibition exploring the magical qualities of the landscape and the celebrated mid-century modern architecture found in the desert city of Palm Springs, California.

The exhibition features works that respond to, capture, or reimagine the unique characteristics of the city, its surroundings, and its Bauhaus sensibilities.

“I call Lost in Palm Springs the project of a lifetime because that is what it has been to me over the last six years,” Dr Honeywill said.

“And I have been blessed to work with 15 extraordinary and inspirational artists.

Lost in Palm Springs evolved as an exhibition in response to three artist research residencies undertaken by Dr Honeywill in Palm Springs in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and research that continued in Australia between the residencies.

The exhibition explores the resurgence of mid-century modern architecture and design from Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, USA, to Australian locales like Mount Eliza, Canberra, Mermaid Beach, Sydney and more.

Place and home, desert atmosphere, landscapes (real and imagined), and Bauhaus sensibilities inform the artists’ works.

Tracy Cooper-Lavery, Director of Gallery and Visual Arts at Home of the Arts (HOTA) who, along with Museums and Galleries QLD, developed the exhibition said Lost in Palm Springs was not only visually stunning, but it showcased the rich history and connections between Palm Springs and Australia, and the importance of mid-century modern architecture.

“We believe that this exhibition will capture the imagination of visitors and we encourage everyone to come and experience it,” Mr Cooper-Lavery said.

Griffith regional Art Gallery Coordinator, Ray Wholohan said there were many similarities in the localities of both Palm Springs and Griffith.

“The arid, yet powerful environments both cities inhabit; both Griffith and Palm Springs were also soldier settler areas after WWI,” Mr Wholohan said.

“Both cities have strong examples of modernist architecture and American architecture, Walter Burley Griffin was a huge influence on the design of both sites.

“Both cities are found in remote areas but are hubs of arts and culture.

“Lost in Palm Springs is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in mid-century modern architecture and its influence on contemporary cultures.”

Dr Honeywill will deliver a floor talk on the dominant themes in the exhibition and give compelling insight into the practice of the artists from 11 am on Saturday, March 9. Morning tea will be provided.

The exhibition will remain on display until Sunday, April 21.

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