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Artists in Focus: Tweed Regional Gallery launches Autumn exhibitions
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Celebrating local and emerging artists through three captivating exhibitions
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Minghua Xiang at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio in 2024 Photograph: Aaron Chapman
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Tweed Regional Gallery will launch its Autumn program this Friday 14 Feburary with the opening of three new exhibitions. The multi-opening will showcase works by Gadigal/Sydney-based artist Minghua Xiang and two regional artists, Zion Levy Stewart and Dawn Walker.
Tweed Regional Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgcock said the event will showcase incredible artistic talent, and the nexus between artist, practice and lived experience.
“We are delighted to showcase the work of each of these immensely talented artists who explore elements of life and connection in their own unique ways,” Ms Hedgcock said.
“We encourage people to visit and experience these works firsthand and join us in celebrating the artists’ incredible talent.”
Minghua Xiang was the recipient of the Tweed Regional Gallery’s National Art School (NAS) Master of Fine Art (Painting) Residency Award in 2024. This ongoing Partnership between the Gallery and NAS aims to showcase emerging artists in celebration of Margaret Olley’s legacy as a NAS alumna and a supporter of rising creative voices.
Xiang’s solo exhibition Finding Harmony in Hope is the result of the residency he completed at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio in 2024.
In this body of work Xiang aims to transcend the confines of traditional Eastern and Western aesthetics, extending beyond the canvas, offering a glimpse into a future guided by cooperation and inclusivity. Through gestural mark making, Xiang builds layers of abstraction that speak to our interconnectedness, echoing the ancient Chinese proverb that ‘harmony is most precious’.
The Gallery’s regional artist showcase includes artists Zion Levy Stewart and Dawn Walker - who will both open their solo exhibitions at the opening event.
Zion Levy Stewart is an artist with Up Syndrome (generally called Down Syndrome). Known for his joyful personality and ability to make others smile, this infectious zest for life is chronicled through his art.
For the past 25 years, Levy Stewart has been drawing and painting every day. Through a series of vibrant acrylic paintings his solo exhibition Life is Art showcases works that espouse the intrinsic link between Levy Stewart’s life, his creative work and the symbiotic relationship between the two. He invites the viewer to enter an innocent world of quirky people, birds and animals.
Zion’s mother Christine Levy says his art is a beacon of positivity, shown through the lens of his own lived experience.
“Zion’s art has the capacity to spread joy, bring happiness to peoples’ hearts and puts smiles on their faces like a sunrise,” his mother said.
Levy Stewart was a finalist in the Gallery’s 2022 Wollumbin Art Award (WAA) and shared the exhibition space with fellow finalist and regional artist Dawn Walker, who will also open her solo exhibition on the night.
Walker’s exhibition Porcelain Places presents a new body of work that builds upon her exhibited piece in the Gallery’s 2022 and 2024 WAA. Exploring the popular appeal of souvenirs from the Tweed and surrounds, her works evoke a sense of nostalgia while presenting a new meaning for each of the antique souvenirs.
Walker’s intimate oil paintings capture both the beauty of antiques along with the serene landscapes that feature on each treasured token of place.
All three exhibitions will be officially opened to the public on Friday 14 February with Gallery doors open from 6 pm. Bookings for this event are recommended via the Gallery website.
Guests are invited to enjoy a pre-drink with spectacular views from the Apex Dining balcony before the official opening commences. Dinner reservations are to be made online via Apex Dining.
Minghua Xiang: Finding Harmony in Hope is on display from 14 February – 22 June 2025.
Life is Art by Zion Levy Stewart and Porcelain Places by Dawn Walker will be on display from Friday 14 February until Sunday 4 May 2025.
Both exhibitions are Tweed Regional Gallery initiatives and outcomes of the PLATFORM program.
Public Programs:
Opening Celebrations
Friday 14 Feb - Free
6.00 for 6.15pm speeches
Join us for opening celebrations for Life is Art by Zion Levy Stewart, Porcelain Places by Dawn Walker, and Finding Harmony in Hope by Minghua Xiang
Bookings essential https://events.humanitix.com/aut025
Gallery Playdate Autumn
Wednesday 5 March - Free
9.00 – 10.00 am
Fun, engaging sessions for children aged 3 - 5 years and their carers. This session is based on Porcelain Places by Dawn Walker and uses creative play to develop imagination and skill. Younger children are welcome to attend and enjoy the sensory play area and story time, guided artmaking activities are suited to 3 - 5 yrs.
Bookings essential. Book via humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/gpdaut
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Zion Levy Stewart, Birds and Bees 2023, acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 cm, Image courtesy the artist © The artist
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Dawn Walker, Swan souvenir 2024, oil on canvas, 28.5 x 23.5 cm, Image courtesy the artist © The artist
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Note to media
Minghua Xiang: Finding Harmony in Hope is an outcome of the Tweed Regional Gallery – National Art School Master of Fine Art (Painting) Residency Award. The Partnership between the Gallery and NAS aims to showcase emerging artists in celebration of Margaret Olley’s legacy as a NAS alumna and a supporter of emerging artists.
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Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
2 Mistral Road (corner of Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah South)
PO Box 816 Murwillumbah, NSW 2484
The Gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm (Café 8:30 am to 4 pm).
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Tweed Shire Council wishes to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. Council also acknowledges and respects the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore, customs and traditions.
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