Hannah Hammoud
Local artists Olive and Evie are set to unveil their collaborative exhibition, ‘MARKET/PLACE,’ at the Sunshine Art Spaces.
Inspired by the vibrancy of Sunshine, the duo has embarked on a journey to showcase the beauty of the suburb through their respective art forms, offering visitors a colourful interpretation of everyday scenes found in the Sunshine area.
Olive, known for her handmade bag label Olive Made, has delved into the world of macramé, crafting intricate rope bags using materials sourced from local shops. Evie, a Melbourne-based illustrator and painter, brings her unique perspective to the project, reinterpreting familiar sights and scenes with a humorous touch.
Evie said she hopes the exhibition will draw visitors’ attention to the “modest but remarkable moments in Sunshine.”
The residency, which spans six weeks, has provided Olive and Evie with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the community, drawing inspiration from local markets, Lunar New Year festivities, and the rich tapestry of stories shared by others.
“There has been lots of ‘site visits’ to the Sunshine street markets on Fridays, excursions to the local bowls club and RSL and lunchtime Bahn Mi’s in the Sunshine town square,” said Olive.
“MARKET/PLACE Residency is all about the process of seeing things in Sunshine with fresh eyes. We will do so by freeing up familiar views by reinterpreting them as paintings, drawings, bags and keychains – all to build a tableaux that will best show our shared preoccupation with looking and collecting,” said Evie.
Their studio space, located at the Sunshine Art Spaces and supported by Brimbank council, has become a hub of creativity, where visitors are invited to witness the artists at work and engage in conversations about art and community.
“We want people to come and celebrate their neighbourhood by recognising familiar colours and scenes from their everyday [life] in the work we’ve made,” said Olive.
“We also hope it makes people feel proud of their local area.”
The exhibition opening celebration is scheduled for Friday, February 23, from 6-8pm. The exhibition will be open on February 24-25 from 10am-4pm and again on March 1, and March 3 from 10am-4pm.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the works created during the residency.
