The Long Gallery
14–31 July 2022
9 Lives
Group Exhibition
Rebecca Armstrong | Debra Billson | Rose Chong
Kirsten Dunkley | Raksmei Keo | Deborah Ladd
Kate Lambe | Melinda Story | Wendy Tse
The number nine symbolises completion and resolution of wisdom and experience, but also transition and transformation from endings into new beginnings.
9 Lives features the artwork of nine Melbourne-based women, who have lived full and successful lives in different areas such as science, sports, graphic design, photojournalism, theatre production and costume design. These women came together to renew and rediscover their personal art practices whilst studying during the pandemic. The resulting works are as diverse and individual as the lives they have lived.
One of the women featured is the Melbourne icon, Rose Chong. Her interest in art began in 1963 when she studied at Sir John Cass School of Art in London. The 60-year hiatus has been spent in costume design in Fitzroy where she runs Rose Chong Costumes. In 2020 Rose started creating meme-style little acrylic paintings under the pseudonym Arsey, yet the artist’s identity is not so subtly revealed as all the paintings contain self-portraits. She is fascinated by language, colour and absurdity, using humour to engage with an increasingly senseless world. In 9 Lives, Rose’s art is installed as the interactive work ‘Do You Want a Piece of Me?’ where viewers can purchase their own little piece of the legendary Rose Chong to take home on the spot, with the installation diminishing over the course of the exhibition.
9 Lives: Group Exhibition
Rebecca Armstrong, Debra Billson, Rose Chong, Kirsten Dunkley, Raksmei Keo, Deborah Ladd, Kate Lambe, Melinda Story and Wendy Tse
The Long Gallery
14th July - 31st July 2022
OPENING EVENT
Thursday 14 July 2022
6:30pm – 8:30pm
The Long Gallery
Guest Speaker: Rose Chong
Nibbles and one complimentary welcome drink provided
Beverages available at bar prices
Musical entertainment by Jesse Morgan
Entry is free, but booking required
Rose Chong with Do You Want a Piece of Me - Photograph by Susannah Low
1. Image courtesy of Kate Lambe
2. Image courtesy of Rebecca Armstrong
3. Image courtesy of Debra Billson
4. Image courtesy of Deborah Ladd
5. Image courtesy of Kirsten Dunkley
6. Image courtesy of Raksmei Keo
7. Image courtesy of Melinda Story
8. Image courtesy of Wendy Tse