Changing Perspectives 2023 is the Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors Online Exhibition
The Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors (MSWPS) raises the profile of women artists by exhibiting their works in the Annual Exhibition Changing Perspectives, now in its 114th year. It is an important event as it shows that women artists are thriving even though they may be career professionals, mothers, grandmothers or carers.
Members have the opportunity to enter two of their best artworks to be displayed at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries (VAS).
This year, the 'live' exhibition will be held in the gracious galleries of the VAS. It will be open to the public between Friday 29 September and Monday 9 October.
The Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors (MSWPS) began in 1902 when a small group of former students from the National Gallery School Melbourne resolved to form a club of art students "for the purpose of securing mutual help and sympathy in their work and keeping up the old friendships, which had been so pleasant to each and all in the past”. VAS publication 1908 and More Than Just Gumtrees J. Peers 1993 MSWPS.
Today MSWPS members have the opportunity to enjoy the company of artists who share their passion for creativity at Member’s Meetings once a month. It may be a train journey to a regional gallery, a charter bus tour, painting en plein air in a lovely garden or listening to an entertaining talk by one of our illustrious artists at the Ola Cohn House. Studio visits have been organised on zoom. Special Winter luncheons and Christmas luncheons are also held annually at the Ola Cohn House. As well as great opportunities for networking, lasting friendships are formed at these popular events.
MSWPS is grateful for the bequest made by sculptor Ola Cohn, former President of the Society for 15 years until her death in 1964. The bequest grants MSWPS access to Ola Cohn House (her former home in East Melbourne) on Thursdays. A regular drawing group is held at the centre for members, and monthly member’s meetings and committee meetings may also be held there.
Through indulging their artistic passion, members of the Society follow in the footsteps of the trail blazing women who founded MSWPS and succeeded in raising the profile of Melbourne’s women artists. As this year’s Changing Perspectives exhibition is MSWPS 114th, its members can be justifiably proud of their achievements.
Tessa Wallis - President 2023 MSWPS
Image: Morning, oil on linen, 760 x 1020mm.
2023 Judge: Suzette Wearne
The official opening is on Sunday 1 October at 2 pm when this year’s judge, Suzette Wearne, Assistant Curator at McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery will present prizes.
Previously Suzette was a curator at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne where she curated several exhibitions of the work of leading Australian and international artists.
Suzette has contributed to the arts community for over twenty years and has experience in studio arts management, the commercial sector and major public museums, including the Melbourne Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria. She has published widely on contemporary art and culture and coordinated and judged major art prizes and awards.
2023 Exhibition Catalogue
- Click on thumbnail image to open for details
- Click on Image to enlarge
- Use arrows to go forward and backward
Purchasing Artwork
- Select your chosen artwork and click on the yellow PURCHASING button.
- Complete the form and click SUBMIT.
- MSWPS administration will contact you with banking details.
- Although many works are framed, they have been presented uniformly unframed in the virtual exhibition.
- The measurement displayed is the unframed size of the artwork.
- Artworks can be collected from Victorian Artists Society Galleries, 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne on Tuesday 10 October from 1 - 3pm.
- Repeat the process for each additional work you wish to purchase.
- Should you wish to commission a work or view others, complete a Purchasing Form and the artist will contact you.
Entries
2022 AWARDS
The Annie Davison Oliver Award
Lucy Fekete, Movie Night (detail)
Annie Davison Oliver was a long serving Treasurer and Benefactor of MSWPS. Her death in 1997 at the age of 94 ended a long and valuable association of 67 years, in appreciation, MSWPS established this award in her memory.
Valda Cuming Sculpture Award
Gillian Govan, Before The Storm
Valda Cuming OAM served on the MSWPS committee for many years during her 25 year membership of the Society. Valda was widely recognized for her proficiency in sculpture using a range of materials including wood, ceramic and stone. At the pinnacle of her career in 2019, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to the arts.
The Valda Cuming Sculpture Award was established by MSWPS in memory of her inspirational sculpture and impressive achievements.
Judith Perry Award for Oil/Acrylic
Jenny Scholes, Towards the Point at Wye River
Judith was a stalwart of MSWPS, joining in1961. She was an esteemed Life Member holding every office including President, Treasurer and Secretary since the 1980s. For many years as Bulletin Editor, she contributed witty and insightful poems. She also prepared ‘The Jood Quiz’ for Winter and Christmas Luncheons and attended weekly Life Drawing sessions.
Jo Bennett Award for Works on Paper
Ying Tang, Eternal Change No 1
Jo joined the Society in 1975 and was an esteemed Life Member. She worked in various capacities on the Committee throughout the 1980s and 1990s and was Life Drawing Monitor until late in the next decade. She was committed to fostering innovation and inquiry.
