Three new exhibitions—'Carbon_Dating', 'Mom Bras', and 'repeating gestures of becoming'—will open at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery as part of its Winter Program. The shows feature sculpture, installation, photography, and textile art exploring themes of identity, environment, and the female form. Artist Charmaine Lyons will install 700 clay pears in the gallery's Vault space for her site-specific work 'repeating gestures of becoming', inspired by The Tale of the Handless Maiden. An opening night party is set for Friday 18 July, followed by public talks on Saturday 19 July, including a conversation with curator Beth Jackson and artist Cassie Arnold.
The exhibitions matter because they bring diverse contemporary art practices to a regional Australian audience, emphasizing sensory accessibility and community engagement. Lyons' use of clay multiples and tactile elements aims to create an inclusive experience for visitors of differing abilities, while the opening weekend programs offer direct dialogue with artists and curators. This reflects a broader trend of regional galleries fostering meaningful, participatory art experiences outside major urban centers.