From Here Towards…

Of late, it seems as though I am attending a gallery opening every other week or in fact weekly. And this week was no different as I attended the launch of the latest exhibition at the Toyota Community Spirit Gallery in Port Melbourne.

The exhibition, Crossroads, focused on exploring crisis and the need for change in the modern world. With pieces from 38 differing artists from across Victoria, New South Wales and New York City, each piece represented their view of crisis and the need for change. Pieces ranged from sculpture, painting, metalwork and photography.

The gallery itself is an initiative from Toyota as part of its corporate citizenship program. The gallery provides space to emerging artists across the country free of charge and this week launched its 13th exhibition. The gallery works closely with the City of Port Philip and Hobsons Bay City Council, each of which had representatives at the launch.

Each piece at the exhibition told a different tale from the next with themes ranging from global warming to freedom of expression to community-based campaigns and African civil war. Many pieces were well executed and instigated emotion with the viewer. Although many pieces were ridiculously priced (prices going as high at $18,000 but averaging $1600), a few pieces managed to sell, even those that were badly placed within the gallery.

Curator Ken Wong provided some inspiration to collectors and the artists while caters served large platters of antipasto, nori rolls, chicken satay skewers and spicy meatballs. And with the wine and beer flowing, this art connoisseur got tipsy pretty quickly.

The Toyota Community Spirit Gallery is located at 155 Bertie St in Port Melbourne. The Crossroads exhibition runs until 26 September 2007 and each piece is available for purchase. The gallery is open Thursdays and Fridays from 1pm until 6pm or by appointment. Those interested can contact curator Ken Wong on 03 9690 0902.