Peter Radford with Peppercorn Trees, Violet Town, by Ivan Durrant, 1987. Photo: Stephen Winkler.
With the Benalla Art Gallery turning 50, while being closed for a redevelopment, the Ensign has been sharing the gallery foundation’s ‘Our Gallery’ project with the community.
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That involves local people choosing their favourite art work from the gallery collection and explaining what it means to them.
This is part three of these ‘Our Gallery’ articles.
Peter Radford
Chosen art work: Peppercorn Trees, Violet Town, by Ivan Durrant, 1987.
Peter is a well-known former GP who now participates in the local community through the Anglican church, Cooinda, the Bridge Club and a wine and food group. He also enjoys just walking down the street and talking to people.
“If one could describe art, we wouldn’t need an art gallery,“ Peter said.
“Good art brings out thoughts and emotions we cannot describe.
“Ivan Durrant’s woolshed series speaks of heat and light, graceful decay and past activity. It is very evocative of rural Australia.”
Ivan Durrant (born 1947) is an Australian painter, sculptor and filmmaker known for his provocative realist style and conceptual ‘butcher shop’ works challenging perceptions of violence and beauty.
Often described as a rural provocateur, Ivan lived and worked in Benalla for many years, drawing inspiration from the local landscape and exhibiting regularly at Benalla Art Gallery.
Peppercorn Trees, Violet Town, was a gift by Judy Durrant in 1992.
Shennae Noonan
Shennae Noonan with her chosen art work, Square Ensemble — or something like that. Photo: Stephen Winkler.
Chosen art work: Square Ensemble — or something like that, by Angela Brennan, 1994.
Shennae attended school in Benalla and left the region for several years thereafter.
She has returned to the community to raise her young family and now works at Winton Motor Raceway.
Shennae thinks the art gallery is a beautiful building in which to showcase art.
“Art allows the mind to rest and wander — it’s a very calming experience,” she said.
“I adore bright pops of colour, it caught my eye, and I was drawn to it.
“The paintwork appears to be randomly placed, but it feels balanced and calm using colours that are fresh and vibrant.”
Angela Brennan is an Australian contemporary artist known for her vibrant abstract paintings that explore colour, form and the expressive potential of paint.
Brennan’s distinctive style and energetic compositions have made her a prominent figure in the Australian art scene since the 1980s.
Square Ensemble — or something like that, was purchased by Friends of Benalla Art Gallery in 1994.
Deakin Horne
Deakin Horne with his chosen art work, Raft City No. 5 (Surveillance Version). Photo: Stephen Winkler.
Chosen art work: Raft City No. 5 (Surveillance Version), by Jon Cattapan, 2015.
Deakin is a student at Benalla P12 College. He is an active member of Tomorrow Today’s Full Impact Squad, a program designed to provide leadership and community development training to empower the youth of Benalla.
Deakin has participated in Benalla Art Gallery workshops and school holiday programs.
“I believe art can express so much,” he said.
“This cityscape presents a completely different view of Melbourne.
“It seems to go back in time and, to me, appears ‘alien’ and bright.”
Jon Cattapan is an Australian contemporary artist known for his atmospheric cityscapes and explorations of urban life, identity and memory.
His work often combines painting and digital media, using layered compositions that evoke the glow and movement of modern cities.
Cattapan has represented Australia internationally, including as an official war artist in East Timor, where his experiences further shaped his visual language.
Raft City No. 5 (Surveillance Version) was donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Jeremy Banky in 2023.
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