MTC's THE SUBLIME Inspires New Exhibition

An exhibition of paintings and drawings inspired by MTC's production of The Sublime, created by artists from Arts Project Australia, will be in the Fairfax Studio foyer at Arts Centre Melbourne from 22 August to 4 October.

Artists Paul Hodges, Bobby Kyriakopoulos, Eden Menta and Lisa Reid from Arts Project Australia were invited into rehearsals for MTC's The Sublime to observe the cast and creatives at work over the course of a month. During this time the four artists sketched and took photographs of the actors, from which they have created their final artworks. Arts Project staff artist Elyss McCleary oversaw the project and selected the artwork on display.

'This has been a very exciting collaboration with one of Melbourne's outstanding visual arts organisations', said MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett.' It coincides with Arts Project's 40th anniversary celebrations, and with the generosity of Arts Centre Melbourne, many visitors will be able to see the great work Arts Project does.'

The Sublime director Sam Strong, said, 'bringing together the visual and performing arts to capture the magic of a rehearsal room has been a wonderful experience. It was a delight to share our creative process with the talented artists from Arts Project Australia and to watch how their art takes shape. I can't wait to see the finished pieces at the theatre.'

Founded in 1974, Arts Project Australia was conceived as a dedicated space for visual art, to promote authentic self-expression and to provide access to professional quality materials and support from practising contemporary artists. Following years of incremental growth, Arts Project Australia established the first full-time arts studio in Australia for artists with an intellectual disability in 1990. In the nearly four decades since its inception, Arts Project Australia has won numerous awards and has built a reputation nationally and internationally as a leader and innovator in both the arts and disability sectors.

Arts Project Australia Executive Director Sue Roff said, 'The opportunity provided by MTC for Arts Project artists to experience and visually record the rehearsal process has been invaluable, and one not offered to many artists. The artists involved have benefitted enormously from the generosity of The Sublime's cast and crew and we are thrilled that their work will be exhibited alongside the production to celebrate our 40th Anniversary.'

Commissioned by Melbourne Theatre Company, The Sublime is a provocative new Australian play from award-winning actor and writer Brendan Cowell that puts footy, sex scandals and power under the spotlight. Directed by MTC Associate Artistic Director Sam Strong and starring Josh McConville, Ben O'Toole and Anna Samson, The Sublime opens Thursday 28 August at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio.

For more information about Arts Project Australia visit artsproject.org.au, and to find out more about MTC's production of The Sublime visit mtc.com.au/Sublime