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RACV City Club's latest exhibition Bird Nerds takes flight
Bird lovers, this one is for you!
Bringing together renowned Australian artists Sam Leach, Deanne Gilson, Leila Jefferys, and Helen Wright, RACV City Club's latest exhibition, Bird Nerds, explores contemporary representations of Australian birdlife and our connection to the natural world.
Opening on Friday 28 August, the free exhibition spans across painting, watercolour and photography, offering fresh perspectives on the presence of birds in everyday life and the layered meanings they hold.
Sam Leach, winner of the 2010 Archibald Prize and Wynne Prize, bridges traditional painting into dialogue with emerging technology, drawing on scientific imagery and art history.
Leach says, "I position animals, technological artefacts and landscapes on equal footing, asking how we can depict an environment where all subjects assert their own influence."
With a career spanning 40 years, proud Wadawurrung woman Deanne Gilson portrays the importance of taking care of the land and nature through depicting Indigenous birds, trees and plants.
"Through reflecting on the Wadawurrung seasonal calendar, the deep cultural knowledge embedded in birdlife and their relationship to Country is revealed,” Gilson said.
Leila Jeffreys has spent more than fifteen years creating intimate studies of birds, bringing the conventions and attention of portraiture to subjects more often observed at a distance. Working closely with ornithologists, conservationists and wildlife sanctuaries, she creates images that reveal birds as individuals while drawing attention to the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.
“For more than a decade, I’ve worked with birds to advocate for their conservation and celebrate them as individuals...from critically endangered species such as the kākāpō to the birds we encounter every day,” Jeffreys said.
Helen Wright emphasises the fragile balance between humans and the natural world in her artworks, illustrating the importance of collective understanding.
"Birds inhabit and inspire my imagination as I watch and hear their everyday interactions and the significance of their distinctive sounds and gatherings from early morning to late evening. Living in a silent world without such sounds seems unthinkable," Wright said.
RACV Head of Visual Art Mardi Nowak said the exhibition would be a delightful experience for bird and art lovers alike.
"This exhibition allows us to nerd out about birds while appreciating some incredible art created by an array of talented Australian artists," Nowak said.
"Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear from artists Deanne Gilson, Sam Leach and bird researcher Benjamin Viola at the Art of Lunch on Saturday 7 November."
The Art of Lunch ticket includes a three-course lunch and paired wines inspired by the artworks held at the RACV City Club in Melbourne’s CBD.
To attend the free exhibition, book an appointment through art@racv.com.au or find the Art of Lunch on the RACV Events website.
Artist Bios
Sam Leach completed a degree in Economics before undertaking a Bachelor of Fine Art and Master of Fine Art degree at RMIT, followed by a PHD in Fine Art in 2016. Informed by philosophy, science, and art history, his work has been exhibited across Australia and is held in public collections across throughout, New South Wales and Victoria. In 2010, Leach became the third artist to win both Archibald portrait prize and the Wynne landscape prize in the same year.
Deanne Gilson is a multi-disciplinary artist living on her ancestral Country of Ballarat, with her work highlighting the beauty and importance of taking care of Country. Her artworks have been held in public and private collections across the globe, including the Koorie Heritage Trust and the National Gallery of Victoria. In 2021 she completed a PhD focusing on Reflecting Aboriginal Women’ Business Pre and Post Settlement, Through Contemporary Art, at Deakin University
Leila Jeffreys is an Australian contemporary artist working across photography, moving image and large-scale installation. Her practice explores portraiture, perception and the interconnectedness of species, and is informed by extensive field research and engagement with conservationists, scientists and wildlife sanctuaries. Jeffreys has exhibited throughout Australia and internationally for more than fifteen years. She is the author of three published books, including Birdland, and her work is held in major Australian and international collections.
Helen Wright has been working for over decades across different mediums, with her work featured across public and private galleries including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of South Australia. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts and PhD at the University of Tasmania, where she currently works and lives.
About the RACV’s Art Collection & Exhibitions
RACV’s Art Collection was established in 2003 and spotlights living Australian artists to help develop and promote local Victorian art. Aiming to showcase the state’s diversity and represent all Victorians, the RACV Art Collection has a strong balance of male and female artists, while First Nations art makes up 20 per cent of the overall collection.
Exhibitions are open to members and the public across RACV resorts and clubs.
Current exhibitions include:
- RACV Inverloch Resort: Stephanie Cartledge’s works – 6 June to 8 September
- RACV Goldfields Resort ArtHouse: Still Life – 13 June to 6 September
- RACV Goldfields Resort Gallery: Sweet Lime – 13 June to 6 September
- RACV City Club: Bird Nerds – 28 August to 15 November
Upcoming exhibitions include:
- RACV Goldfields Resort ArtHouse: Kent Morris: Karta kartaka – 12 September to 29 November
- RACV Goldfields Resort Gallery: Women in the RACV Art Collection – 12 September to 14 March
- RACV Inverloch Resort: What the Light Holds: Kathryn Ryan – 12 September to 2 December
For more information about RACV’s exhibitions, visit racv.com.au.
For all media requests, contact our Media and Communications team.
