Signal | 1 August - 27 September 02020, Art Gallery of Ballarat

Here’s the thing; I don’t feel particularly optimistic. Not now and certainly not in January this year when it seemed every part of this continent was on fire. At that time I felt adrift, it was all too late - the climate had changed and what could possibly be the point of making art knowing that?

We were travelling home from spending Christmas in South Australia and stopped in at Horsham for a rest. My partner, who works out that way a bit, suggested we look in at the Regional Art Gallery. Neither of us knew, but at the time they were exhibiting a travelling show from the National Gallery of Australia called “Art Deco”. On the walls were all my favourites; Agnes Goodsir, Margaret Preston, Christian Waller… and as I turned a corner I saw a large, bold, simple, 3-colour screen print composition by Sonia Delaunay. Now, maybe I’m desperate, seeking hope in the cracks of the concrete … but that work is called “Signal” and I remember quietly thinking to myself, “Ok Sonia, I’m listening”.

I’ve always thought of art as being a key to unlocking something else, be that knowledge or understanding or emotion etc. And not every key is right for every lock. But every now and then, an artwork will find one of it’s viewers - and the signal, whatever that may be, is received.

Signal by Mairin Briody 1 August - 27 September 02020, The Art Gallery of Ballarat

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