Arabic version: معرض جديد يسلط الضوء على أصول الحداثة الأسترالية

Lily Mora, guest curator of “Always Modern: Radical Nurture” at the Heide Museum of Modern Art, presents a deeply personal exploration of Australian modernism. Drawing from the archives of her late grandmother, artist Mirka Mora, the exhibition showcases the influential artists of the Heide Circle, a group known for their radical approach to art and life.

According to ABC News, the exhibition features more than 60 works from both the Heide collection and the estate of Mirka Mora, who died in 2018, aged 90. It includes pieces from notable artists such as Charles Blackman, Joy Hester, and Sidney Nolan. These artists formed a close-knit community at Heide, a former dairy farm on the Yarra River flood plain at Bulleen, where they supported each other’s creativity and defied conventional norms.

Lily Mora reflects on the nurturing environment created by John and Sunday Reed, who provided not only financial support but also a place to stay for struggling artists. This community dynamic played a crucial role in the development of Australian modernism, as artists thrived under the Reeds’ encouragement.

The exhibition also delves into themes of motherhood and care, influenced by Lily’s own experiences as a mother. Mirka Mora’s works often explored the mother-child connection, a concept that resonates throughout the exhibition. Lily emphasizes her grandmother’s non-conformist approach to both art and motherhood, showcasing how Mirka balanced her artistic ambitions with family life.

“Always Modern: Radical Nurture” not only celebrates the avant-garde works of the Heide Circle but also highlights the friendships, maternal influences, and shared experiences that defined this artistic community. The exhibition runs at the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne until August 9.