Nanda/Hobbs Exhibition Coming to Launceston

Media release – Madeline Gordon Gallery, 12 June 2024

LAUNCESTON CONTEMPORARY GALLERY TO HOST LEADING AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS IN TWO-WEEK NANDA\HOBBS EXHIBITION

Madeline Gordon Gallery will this July open its doors to a ‘homecoming’ residency that sees two consummate art dealers – Ralph and Sophie Hobbs – return to Launceston as part of an exhibition from one of Australia’s leading commercial art galleries, Nanda\Hobbs.

The Sydney-based institution is ‘going south for the winter’ in a curated showcase dubbed “Coming Home” where works from some of Australia’s most exciting contemporary artists – including five Archibald Prize finalists – will adorn the gallery’s walls. These will follow in the footsteps of countless local and mainland artists who have come before them this year.

After changing ownership 12 months ago, Madeline Gordon Gallery has fast become a cultural institution in Launceston, maintaining an ‘open door’ policy that provides a platform for celebrated and emerging artists alike. Championing this broad and inclusive art community is the gallery’s namesake, Madeline Gordon.

Gordon says, “This residency is a particularly significant one for me. Not only did I learn from Ralph in my time at Launceston Grammar, he also taught beside two other notable Tasmanian artists, Katy Woodroffe and Helene Weeding, my mother. Both Ralph and Sophie have a deep passion for, and enduring connection with, northern Tasmania, so it feels fitting that together we’re creating the opportunity for locals to witness the cutting-edge presence of Australia’s leading artists, right here in Launceston.”

Two such artists are James Drinkwater and Caroline Zilinsky. The former is a Newcastle-based painter and sculptor renowned for his abstract explorations of the connections between art, culture and personal histories. Drinkwater has held over 30 solo exhibitions and has most recently shown at the prestigious Armoury show in New York.

Drinkwater is in good company with Caroline Zilinsky, a prize-winning virtuoso of bold portraiture who has forged a career challenging societal indoctrination and stupidity through provocative works.

Nanda\Hobbs has a strong focus on technical rigour, with major works from Australia’s leading artists recognised in private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Art Gallery NSW.

Drinkwater and Zilinksy are far from the only high-profile Australian artists to exhibit at the Launceston gallery in 2024. Works on paper from two of Australia’s most celebrated artists – Brett Whiteley and Sidney Nolan – will be exhibited in late September.

Already this year, Madeline Gordon Gallery has hosted exhibitions from Joanna Pinkiewicz, Penny Cross, Matilda Michell, Nicola Mason, Tracy Murray, Veronica O’Leary, Sophie Rose, Susannah Collins, Robyn Harman, Ryllton Viney, Leoni Duff, Emily Galicek and Sardul Gill.

“Home Coming” will exhibit at Madeline Gordon Gallery from July 12–26, with an official opening on Friday 12th July at 6pm. The catalogue will be made available prior to the opening, to be notified, sign up to the newsletter at https://madelinegordongallery.com.au/