In the depths of winter 2020, the golden child of the week – Friday night – got even better thanks to Kambri at ANU!

Streaming free via Facebook from the incredible Manning Clark Hall came the innovative program ‘Music on the Screens’ – a series of dance party sets featuring ANU student DJs, singer/songwriters and bands filmed on stage with decks, lighting and an audio-visual show that made viewers feel like they were right there in the venue.

For two Fridays during July, viewers were invited to leave the week that was behind with a two-hour set from Vessel Collective, breezing through an eclectic array of genres.

Performers included Shad (afrobeats, house, funk), Destiny (city pop, house, Japanese funk), Mim (funky house), Pranav (YNG Daku) (techno, hiphop), Mami (techno, rave) and Jasmine (techno, tech house, house).

For the third and final week, in partnership with ANUSA, it was time for a virtual party, with Bush Week 2020 ending with a lineup of all-star ANU singer/songwriter talents performing 30-minute sets.

Recording the musical acts in Manning Clark Hall – Kambri’s world-class live music venue that normally plays host to bands such Hermitude and The Chats – gave students the rare chance to perform in a space they would not normally have access to.

Along with giving students a foot in the door to the music scene, Music on the Screens was also a way to put familiar faces from around the university in front of new audiences – the equivalent of taking an intimate bar scene and translating it to a large, professional venue.

The partnership with Vessel Collective and the ANU students who performed during Music on the Screens has been one of the most positive aspects to come from a difficult year. Vessel Collective’s aim is to give anyone with an interest the opportunity to get behind decks and build their confidence, no matter who they are or what they’re into, and in the process create an inclusive dance floor.

For more information on how you can get involved in Vessel Collective, find them on Facebook and Instagram @vessel_djcollective

As we seek new ways to connect and entertain online – in lieu of events and gatherings – Music On the Screens was a brilliant opportunity for ANU students to get their music out there in front of the hundreds of people who tuned in.

If you have a burning idea for any future online student-based content, please reach out and contact [email protected]

Look around and uncover the award-winning design and architectural features of the Kambri precinct – they’re right before your eyes!

Long before the precinct burst to life in February 2019 with the daily bustle of university staff and students, the appointed architects for Kambri – BVN – were busy creating a united ensemble of six buildings around new public spaces, each with their own distinctive character and purpose. 

Kambri was envisioned as an inclusive space for students, staff and visitors, merging contemporary learning with an enriched cultural life to bring a diverse array of great thinkers, artists and creators together.

Surrounded by nature, Kambri has fast become Canberra’s social and cultural focus. It boasts plenty of green spaces, plus architecturally designed buildings offering the latest state-of-the-art technology and facilities, and an eclectic retail mix of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Reflecting on the design of Kambri precinct, ANU Vice-President for Engagement and Global Relations, Jane O’Dwyer, says, “It incorporates a number of elements that offer a new educational, physical, creative and social experience in a village setting, while also reflecting the Indigenous connection in its landscaping and native bush garden.”

The collaborators on the Kambri precinct included ANU (as the client), BVN (architect), ColonySix (development manager), Lendlease (builder), Civitas (urban designer), Aspect Studios and lahznimmo architects (landscape architect) who worked together on innovative approaches to create a modern university hub.

In June this year, Kambri at ANU was proud to win 2020 ACT Architecture Awards across multiple categories, including Public Architecture, Urban Design, Commercial Architecture, Educational Architecture and Sustainable Architecture.

The coveted Australian Institute of Architects Awards offer an opportunity for public and peer recognition of the innovative work of architects, with entries progressing to the National Architecture Awards (to be announced in early November).

One of Kambri’s most striking buildings, the Marie Reay Teaching Centre took away The Derek Wrigley Award for Sustainable Architecture, with the building expected to achieve the world’s best practice rating for ecological footprint across its lifecycle – the highest level of achievement for an educational building.

Sam Jordan, Director of ColonySix, said, “ColonySix is incredibly proud to be a part of the Kambri project, from helping ANU create concepts of cutting-edge quality, reinventing an ‘urban village’ in the centre of the Acton campus, delivering powerful and lasting experiences through built form and active public realm, as well as delivering leading sustainability outcomes for the precinct.”

The Kambri precinct embodies the spirit of Canberra, connecting public spaces to culture, entertainment and education through a vibrant mix of eateries, art, film, music, theatre and thought, all set amongst cutting-edge award-winning design and architecture.

Looking for a change of scenery while you hit the books? aMBUSH Gallery Kambri has opened its doors as a study space.

We all know the saying ‘A change is as good as a holiday’, and with holidays as we know them currently off the cards, aMBUSH Gallery Kambri are adding an element of fun into daily life by inviting students into their gallery to study.

aMBUSH is much more than a physical exhibition space – it’s a hub where you can crack into your uni work in the company of art, music and big ideas. Located on the second floor of the Cultural Centre (above Harry Hartog Booksellers), there are floor to ceiling windows that flood the space in natural light, plus neighbouring retailers to keep you fed and caffeinated, and furniture with charging stations to settle into comfortably as you listen to your lectures.

It’s also a great way to take some time out to view the current exhibition – a retrospective of Australian street art that is part of the aMBUSH Collection, showcased in the groundbreaking Outpost Project – the biggest street art festival in the world – on Cockatoo Island in 2011.

If the idea of a change of environment appeals, simply turn up to aMBUSH Gallery during their normal hours of 10 to 6pm weekdays and 12 to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s no need to book – simply sign in and choose your spot.

You can enjoy the serene atmosphere with low level, laid-back music providing the perfect backdrop, and if you BYO cup there’s even free tea and coffee. (Food can be brought in but must be consumed on the undercover balcony area).

As an added bonus, Vessel Collective will be conducting free one-on-one DJ tutorial sessions on equipment use on Fridays and Saturdays (contact them direct via their Facebook page or email for more information).

Normal social distancing rules apply, as do all the standard hygiene measures. The space is cleaned regularly and thoroughly, and hand sanitiser is available. For those looking for a quieter study space, some tables and chairs will also be set up in the hallway next to the gallery.

Whether it’s a quick meeting, hanging with your friends or a whole day of study on the cards, come and pull up a seat amongst the art and like-minded people – the friendly crew from aMBUSH Gallery look forward to seeing you there!

Contact the Kambri concierge at [email protected] for more information, and look for aMBUSH Gallery on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

aMBUSH Gallery in partnership with Kambri at ANU are launching The Hero’s Journey Art Prize 2020 – a time capsule exhibition and social experiment in one.

The Hero’s Journey is a classic narrative arc shared by almost every story ever told: a character ventures out to get what they need, faces conflict, and ultimately triumphs over adversity. The year 2020 is our hero’s journey, and aMBUSH Gallery want to know how artists have responded.

Life in countries all around the world has been thrown into uncertainty: the Australian bushfires, COVID-19, self-isolation, social distancing, Black Lives Matter protests, political acts of ignorance and infamy, swarms of locusts and killer bees, and the widespread global economic impacts from the pandemic, are just a few of the trials we’ve faced.

To document this important time in world history and understand how the call of 2020 has been heeded, aMBUSH Gallery are inviting visual artists, graphic designers, and digital agencies from around Australia to capture the essence of this year in the form of a poster. How does it feel? What does it look like? Is there treasure to be salvaged and lessons to be learnt? And what will life look like when we emerge from this tumultuous year?

Curated and presented by aMBUSH Gallery in partnership with Kambri at ANU, finalists will be chosen by aMBUSH to be featured in an online exhibition at Kambri. One winner will be selected by an independent panel to receive an AU$3,000 cash prize.

Dependant upon on social gathering restrictions for the remainder of the year, there may also be an exhibition at aMBUSH Gallery (Kambri at ANU) where finalists’ artwork will be printed, exhibited and sold on their behalf, with no commission taken on sales.

The Hero’s Journey Art Prize 2020 promises to be a compelling artistic examination of how the world has responded when unprecedented historical events forced us all to be heroes.

Visit www.ambushgallery.com for more information, and look for aMBUSH Gallery on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

View the artist callout doc here for more info on how to enter.

This winter, visitors to Kambri will have their day brightened by artworks from six iconic Australian photographers

Where I Stand is a stirring photographic exhibition that tells visual tales captured simply but powerfully in single frames. These 24 intensely personal works take viewers into realms of transformation, rebirth, identity, history, nature, connection and the Dreamtime, from artists Michael Cook, Dr. Judith Crispin, Sarah Ducker, Murray Fredericks, Barbara McGrady and Michael Jalaru Torres.

The works will be shown on Exhibition Avenue, a new outdoor public art space set along University Avenue, which launched on 27 July – an innovative initiative of Kambri at ANU, produced and curated by aMBUSH Gallery. It will feature a free year-round program of multidisciplinary exhibitions and activations, with an aim to showcase and support our world-class talent – both emerging and established – and provide an ever-changing ‘walk of art’ for staff, students, locals and visitors to Canberra alike.

In tumultuous times such as these, the artists serve as influential mentors, assisting us with our own reflection and reassessment in the face of difficult universal experiences. Though the current challenges may feel apocalyptic, their art speaks of radical change and is ultimately uplifting, connecting the audience to the strongest bonds of all – people, place and culture.

Where I Stand is curated in partnership with aMBUSH’s long time collaborator, the Head On Photo Festival, founded in Australia by Moshe Rosenzveig, OAM. Bill Dimas, co-director of aMBUSH Gallery says, “We joined forces with Head On Photo Festival not just because they’re the largest and most important photography festival in the world, but because we wanted to demonstrate the power of collaboration and how creative organisations can support each other. We’ve worked together with the artists to bring a carefully selected body of artwork, rich in storytelling and meaning at this critical time where our world is overwhelmed by a negative news cycle. Where I Stand transports you into a beautiful world of ancient wisdom, cultural renaissance and human connection.”

Where I Stand will be on display 24 hours a day (thanks to solar powered lights) until Saturday 31 October.

The artists involved are:

Michael Cook (QLD): an award-winning photographer who worked commercially in Australia and overseas for twenty-five years. In 2009, he began to make art photography, driven by an increasingly urgent desire to explore issues of identity. His photographic series are unique in their approach, evocatively recreating incidents that emerge from Australian colonial history.

Dr. Judith Crispin (ACT): a Canberra-based poet and visual artist, with a background in music. Her work includes themes of displacement and identity loss, a reflection on her own lost Aboriginal ancestry, but primarily it is centred on the concept of connection with Country. 

Sarah Ducker (NSW): Sarah has a creative life that’s evolved through a number of different media, from theatre direction to documentary filmmaking, before finding its most eloquent expression in photography. Regardless of the subject matter, Sarah’s work reflects the pure charisma of nature through a refined and sensitive eye. Every image is invested with the lyricism of the poetic in nature. 

Murray Fredericks (NSW): Murray studied politics and economics at Sydney University before traveling in the Middle East and in the Himalayas. Spending large amounts of time in these powerful locations provided the basis for his essentially self-taught photography. Some years into his exhibiting career he completed a Masters of Art and then his MFA. His work is derived from a perspective that views culture as something that cannot be wholly accounted for through social construct.

Barbara McGrady (QLD/NSW): a Gamilaroi/Gomeroi Murri Yinah (Woman) and a passionate advocate for telling the true stories of contemporary Aboriginal life, documenting her mob’s achievements, humanity and beauty through a unique lens. As both an observer and protagonist in the ongoing conflict between Aboriginal culture, spiritual connection to country and Australian colonial sensibilities, McGrady clearly defines the implications of this disconnect in her work. 

Michael Jalaru Torres (VIC): an Indigenous photographer and media professional inspired by the unique landscapes and people of the Kimberley region. His photography draws on his personal history and explores contemporary social and political issues facing Indigenous people. Much of his work involves conceptual and innovative portraiture and abstract landscape photography.

Discover life beyond study with a year-round calendar of cultural events at Kambri.

Art and culture have long enhanced the intellectual atmosphere of ANU for students, staff and the wider community alike, and with the opening of Kambri came plenty of opportunities to enjoy the arts without stepping off campus.

The design of a range of event spaces – both large and small – was a central focus in the planning of the precinct. From the intimate Drama Theatre to the purpose-built 305-seat cinema to the magnificent 1000 concert capacity Manning Clark Hall or the wide-open spaces of University Avenue, the outdoor amphitheatre, or the lush lawns, there’s a place that’s perfect for every type of event.

Providing a diverse range of activities and programs – literally something for everyone – has also cemented Kambri as a cultural attraction in its own right; a place that is both welcoming and accessible to the general public.

Many activities on offer are free, including:

• Meet The Author talks with ANU, The Canberra times and Harry Hartog Booksellers (past guests include Shaun Micallef, Andrew Leigh, Tony Jones, Karen Viggers, Jane Caro and Dr. Karl)
• Music On The Greens
• Fitness on the Greens
• Saturday DJ sessions
• Kambri Film Fest
• Classics at Kambri car show

There is also a wide variety of ticketed events including world-class live music acts (Kurt Vile, The Tea Party, The Chats and Birds of Tokyo to name a few), a Family Film Fest, Shakespeare by the Lake, TEDx Talks, plus recent release movies shown in the cinema by the ANU Film Group.

aMBUSH Gallery houses a regularly rotating calendar of free art exhibitions, plus artist talks (past guests include Reg Mombassa and David and Noni Cragg), a weekly Art Bar, DJ workshops and meetups for the Queer Society.

There’s also plenty of rich Indigenous history to be found on campus as well as public art to be discovered, all accessible via the ANU Walk app.

At various times of the year ANU students also have exhibition opportunities to showcase their art projects and studio work.

Kambri has opened up the university to many different groups and people, with arts and culture that provides a unifying force and makes life at ANU even more lively and enjoyable.

There’s always something inspiring happening, so stay tuned to social media to see what’s coming next to Kambri!

Find artistic treasures large and small as you stroll around Kambri, where art and the community are brought together.

Reflect, relax, and be inspired as you explore the Kambri precinct, where you can choose to participate actively or passively in the rich display of public artworks.

Featuring significant Indigenous paintings, noteworthy sculptures and a Sidney Nolan masterpiece, the diverse selection of art at Kambri attests to a culture that values creative thinking.

When the Kambri precinct was opened in February 2019, one of the major highlights was the grand reveal of Sidney Nolan’s seminal artwork, Eureka Stockade, a striking 20-metre long mural that is recognised as one of Nolan’s largest and most ambitious works.

The install was nothing short of monumental, with the work made up of 66 copperplate panels that depict the Battle of the Eureka Stockade, which took place on the Ballarat goldfields in December 1854. The medium of enamel on copper invokes the volatile, incendiary quality of those infamous skirmishes.

The artwork was donated to ANU by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which commissioned it to adorn the foyer of their head office in Melbourne when it was completed in 1966. Now hanging in the Manning Clark Hall in the Kambri Cultural Centre, visitors are able to view the work during non-teaching periods.

Also located in the Cultural Centre, hanging prominently in the foyer, are 10 large works that are part of Indigenous artist Naata Nungurrayi’s epic 155 piece collection titled Iconography, completed between 2011-2014 when she was in her early eighties.

Naata’s Iconography series consists of large-scale line drawings in black paint inscribed on to canvases primed with a resplendent ruby red. This series marked a break with her earlier style, with no elaboration, filling-in or dots. The paintings reflect the most elemental experiences of living with the earth, with the artist deliberately exposing the bare bones of her “Dreamings” and reducing them to their essential lines. Also of significance is the fact that Naata is one of the few women who have the authority to represent aspects of the Tingari story, which is normally the prerogative of men.

Another Indigenous work of note is much more recent – the magnificent Kambri Ground Map is a sculpture created by Wellspring Arts, which was installed in a prominent public section of Kambri in time for the precinct’s opening in early 2019.

The Ground Map is a stunning visual depiction of significant Indigenous sites from the local area. Wellspring Arts were honoured to be entrusted by the Ngunawal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Elders to bring their vision to fruition. The Ground Map portrays valleys that are criss-crossed with ancient pathways that are still enormously important today.

The plethora of artworks in the vibrant public realm ensure Kambri will remain a learning, events and leisure destination for generations to come.

Eighteen months after their opening, Kambri’s venues have transformed the live music scene for ANU and the wider Canberra community.

From underground house shows to the legendary big name concerts at the old ANU Bar (think Nirvana, going down as one of the best gigs to ever grace our nation’s capital), Canberra’s live music scene has always found ways to thrive.

Kambri was designed as the living heart of ANU and a place to generate activity and buzz, the likes of which Canberra has never before experienced.

Since its opening in February 2019, Kambri has provided an amazing live music venue where big acts come to play. Its purpose-built venues feature the latest in technology and design.

Manning Clark Hall is a magnificent major events space within the Cultural Centre, the Manning Clark Hall has retractable tiered seating, staging, and full production capabilities, enabling it to double not only as a theatre for public lectures and major concerts, but also as a dining hall for large-scale celebratory events. With a capacity of up to 1000 in concert format and 350 with the tiered seating in place, it has the capabilities of host a wide array of events. It is also the home of the magnificent Sidney Nolan mural, Eureka Stockade, donated to the ANU by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

T2 is a multi-use and multi-capacity space that can be configured for 220 people in stadium seating format or 300 in standing concert format. Though smaller than the Manning Clark Hall, this theatre also features a retractable seating system, a front stage area, plus lighting and sound production capabilities.

Cinema features 305 comfortable plush seats, a 10-metre wide screen and an immersive 7.1 surround sound system, watching films at the Cinema at Kambri has never been better! The cinema is ideal for film festivals, screenings, lectures, product or media launches, and special events.

The Drama Theatre is a vast creative space located on the ground floor of the Kambri Cultural Centre. It holds up to 150 people in various seating formats and features a removable stage, lighting and sound production capabilities, making it perfect for small concerts.

The spectrum of acts offered is strong and diverse, catering for a wide range of styles and ages, and providing a safe and accessible place for people to attend.

Some of the most prominent artists to perform at Kambri so far include:

Birds of Tokyo: Unveiling their first pieces of new music in over two years at their Kambri gig, Birds of Tokyo showed why they’re one of Australia’s most popular contemporary rock bands, with an ARIA Award for Best Rock Album to their name.

Kurt Vile: The popular American singer and songwriter supreme brought his backing band, The Violators to Canberra with special guests, RVG. One of the most critically and commercially acclaimed artists of the last decade, Kurt Vile released Bottle It In in late 2019.

Pub Choir: It’s wholesome, joyful, and everyone is in bed by 9:30pm! Pub Choir finally came to the ACT – it’s where best mates gather to have a happy yell-sing together in three-part harmony. The audience brought the voices and the smiles; Pub Choir did the rest.

Hot Chip: Described by The Guardian as “the greatest British pop group of their generation”, audio adventure addicts Hot Chip will make their triumphant return to Australia in 2020, locking in a huge party show at Kambri as they immerse themselves in the warm praise surrounding their latest album A Bath Full Of Ecstasy.

The Beasts of Bourbon with The Johnnys: After an emotional final performance with the Beasts of Bourbon, Tex Perkins got the band’s members, past and present into a recording studio to see what resulted. The Beasts Still Here was the loud and proud tour!

The Chats: Forming in 2016, this young Australian punk rock band soon experienced huge success, best known for their song Smoko and its music video that went viral. Fresh from touring the US, they played songs from their first two EPs and their studio album, Identity Theft.

Northlane: Off the back of a huge sold-out national headline tour, Australia’s elite metallers Northlane announce the 4D regional tour. The tour sees the band hitting up the Nation’s capital, Canberra with special guests Gravemind and local triple j Unearthed winners.

The Tea Party: Iconic Canadian rockers The Tea Party headed back to Australia and brought their genre-defying career to selected intimate venues across Australia, showcased a treasure trove of songs from across their incredible catalogue.

Meg Mac: Australian Singer-Songwriter Meg Mac brought her Give Me My Name Back tour to Kambri. The first track taken from Meg Mac’s latest record is a compelling rallying cry about reclaiming identity, dignity and self-worth. “This song is about standing up for yourself. It’s for everyone who has lost an important part of themselves, which they need to reclaim in order to move forward with their lives,” she says.

As Canberra’s newly minted live music destination, Kambri has provided a major shakeup for the entertainment scene and breathed new life into the industry – stay tuned because there’s a lot more to come!

Take a virtual look at David and Noni Cragg’s exhibition, ‘Mirrung’, shown at aMBUSH Gallery, Kambri.

aMBUSH’s current exhibition has been digitised! You can now view ‘Mirrung’ from the comfort of your home. 

David and Noni Cragg are Sydney-based artists – a brother and sister duo inspired by their First Nations, Scottish and Irish background – who have combined their styles and talents for this unique exhibition.

Mirrung – meaning ‘belonging’ in Dharug, the Sydney language – is a vibrant show featuring rainbow-hued portraits of over a dozen Australian creatives, working across a variety of fields.

Their choice of subjects was a deliberate attempt to showcase the range of cultural backgrounds that make up Australia, and question the concept of what it means to be ‘Australian’, as well as explore notions of belonging, community, representation and intersectionality.

Also featured in the exhibition are solo works by David depicting dreamy Australian landscapes with radiant flora and fauna.

A classically trained painter, Noni studied at the National Art School in Sydney and has exhibited in a number of solo and group shows, developing a reputation for her intricate portraits.

David has a long background in graphic design and street art, having worked with some of Australia’s leading artists in this area, and studying at Bradfield Design College and the Design Centre in Enmore.

The pair have been painting and drawing together since they were children and have previously collaborated on shows, but this is their largest to date.

They worked collaboratively on the pieces displayed in ‘Mirrung’, each bringing their individual strengths and expertise to the portraits.

‘Mirrung’ is the first in a series of joint projects they have lined up, aiming to amplify diversity, First Nations narratives and connection to country.

In addition to viewing the works online here, you can watch an entertaining interview with David and Noni here where they discuss being emerging artists, exciting plans for the future, and the meaningful portraits that make up ‘Mirrung’.

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Kambri is open to the community and visitors to enjoy … in a safely distanced way!

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed our lives. Being in isolation for almost two months during the national lockdown has shaped our experiences as students, employees, business owners, customers, friends, family members and citizens.

The great news is that it’s finally time to get back to life in a ‘COVID-19 safe’ world, and Kambri has adapted to the new and evolving needs in order to service the precinct’s community of ANU staff, students and visitors.

Many of the usual activities we were used to enjoying – going to the gym, shopping at leisure and eating out at restaurants and cafes – are no longer prohibited, though some restrictions still apply and there will be changes to the way we participate in them.

You can expect higher rates of cleaning across the precinct as well as less access to and use of communal items. Venues will also be reopening at a reduced capacity to ensure social distancing guidelines are adhered to, and there will be an increased focus on alfresco dining, which aligns perfectly with the design of Kambri, with its spacious outdoor areas.

We welcome the reopening of the following food and service retailers:

For specific trading hours, please click here

FOOD

Asian Tiger
Azure Dragon
Ballistic Burrito
Chatime
Coffee Lab
Craft Beans
Daily Market
Gangnam Lane
Hot Star
Kebaba
Nosh
Mamas Palms
Rex Espresso
Sushi Smith
The Campus Bakery
What The Pho

SERVICES

aMBUSH Gallery
Club Lime
Commonwealth Bank (Atm Only)
Harry Hartog
National Health Co-Op
University Pharmacy
Z Cosme

Kambri is aligned with and guided by ANU, and over the coming months we will be following government directions in terms of lifting restrictions and adhering to policies.

Above all, it’s important for everyone to stay healthy and safe. You can do your part by:

• following the restrictions on gatherings
• maintaining a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres from others
• practicing good hand hygiene

We look forward to welcoming you back to Kambri – settle in and get your fix of whatever it is you missed the most – the caffeine/food/gym/gallery/bookshop awaits!

Reg Mombassa (aka Chris O’Doherty) returned to Canberra to close his summer blockbuster exhibition – ‘Psychedelic Realism’ – at aMBUSH Gallery.

During a fascinating series of artist talks for students and the general public – held at Kambri in February 2020 – Reg Mombassa reflected on his early life, his interests, the themes in his work, his decorated career, and his latest exhibition, ‘Psychedelic Realism’, which enjoyed a three-month run at aMBUSH Gallery, Kambri.

The conversations were facilitated by Ruth Waller, an ANU School of Art and Design Professor, and Joseph Nuttal, an ANU School of Art and Design student.

‘Psychedelic Realism’ was a mammoth exhibition showcasing over 70 of the Sydney-based artist’s diverse pieces and consisted of his favoured forms and themes – suburban and rural landscapes, graphic works and absurd allegorical narratives.

Produced and presented by aMBUSH Gallery, and co-curated with Reg himself, the show was a dynamic collection of paintings, drawings, digital prints, etchings, and posters, created with mediums including acrylics, oils, charcoal, crayon, pencil and mixed media.

Visitors were able to see firsthand Reg’s incredible talent played out across the huge body of works: traversing the thoughtful and serene to the bizarre and ridiculous, as well as everything in between that happens to have crossed his unique mind.

Some works were completed as recently as late 2019, while others reach back through the decades to his days as a student, inspired by exploring the natural world around him, then later with his work for Mambo, which was often driven by the surrealist theory of free association.

The subject matters were wide-ranging and encompassed self-portraits (including the Archibald-nominated ‘Self-portrait with high pants’), and many recognisable and venerated characters from his prolific days as a Mambo artist, including Australian Jesus and Space Monster, plus robots, suburban houses, and landscapes inspired by his childhood in New Zealand and drives through the Australian countryside.

His plein air charcoal drawings and portraiture reveals a contemplative creative spirit that was often ignited while travelling the world with his popular rock band, Mental As Anything.

‘Psychedelic Realism’ was a dreamlike journey through landscapes, absurdity and sheer magic that made viewers thrill to the power of art again, thanks to the inimitable Reg Mombassa (aka Chris O’Doherty), one of Australia’s most loved and renowned artists.