Music takes physical form in new exhibition While the World Waits

A new exhibition opening at The Corner Store Gallery this weekend showcases a unique partnership between local musicians and visual artists.

Born out of the COVID lockdowns, While the World Waits saw Arts OutWest commission 15 Central West songwriters to each write a track reflecting their experiences of 2020.

Released as a compilation album, visual artists were then asked to use the music as a jumping-off point and inspiration resulting in an exhibition of new work from 20 artists, each responding to one or more tracks, titles or words on the album.

Opening with an informal networking event this Saturday, January 21, 2 – 4pm, at The Corner Store Gallery, the While the World Waits exhibition features work in a range of mediums: painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, moving image, animation, photography, glass and textiles. 

“It was just a really, really clever and creative and inclusive way of involving musicians and songwriters. I felt like it was something that started with great momentum and just kept growing,” said Canowindra musician, Nerida Cuddy, whose song ‘Virtual Folk Club’ has been brought to life in a drawing by Orange artist Heather Valance.

Nerida extended her gratitude to Arts OutWest for this incredible way to support artists during what was a difficult time.

“I think Arts OutWest were really creative, and thoughtful about what they could do to really help during the COVID time and so to be approached and asked to be a part of a project when everything was shut down was a really great thing,” Nerida said.

Artists featured in the exhibition include: Gus Armstrong (Rylstone), Laura Baker (Blayney), Helen Carpenter (Grenfell), Steven Cavanagh (Hill End), Gemma Clipsham (Bathurst), Bev Coe (Condobolin), Heather Dunn (Bathurst), Lise Edwards (Lithgow), Harrie Fasher (Portland), Robert Hirschmann (Portland), Cate McCarthy (Yetholme), Hugh McKinnon (Orange), Christine McMillan (Kandos), Shani Nottingham (Cowra), Timothy Seager (Bathurst), Henry Simmons and the River Yarners (Bathurst), Bridget Thomas (Bathurst), Jane Tonks (Orange), Heather Vallance (Orange), Stephan de Wit (Parkes).

While the World Waits will remain on exhibition at The Corner Store Gallery until Sunday, February 5. Opening hours are 10am – 4pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am – 1pm on Sundays.

To find out more about the exhibition, visit: https://artsoutwest.org.au/pf/while-the-world-waits-regional-exhibition/