Artists to Create Works Inspired by MTC's ENDGAME

Following a successful collaboration last year Melbourne Theatre Company and Arts Project Australia have renewed their artistic partnership for MTC's Endgame. The cast and creative team of Endgame will be joined in rehearsals by four visual artists from Arts Project, who will create original drawings and paintings inspired by MTC's new production of Beckett's modern masterpiece.

Artists Michael Camakaris, Bobby Kyriakopulous, Eden Menta and Fiona Taylor will observe the Endgame Company in the rehearsal room and in the theatre, witnessing the full creative process of staging a live production. The four visual artists will sketch and take photos of the actors, visually documenting the play's development to use as inspiration for their own series of artworks.

'Our collaboration with Arts Project Australia in 2014 proved a great success and an inspiring experience for all involved,' said MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett. 'It is wonderful to be working with them again, strengthening our relationship with one of Melbourne's great visual art organisations and providing opportunities for creativity to flourish across artistic disciplines.'

In 2014, artists from Arts Project Australia created a collection of artworks inspired by MTC's world premiere production of The Sublime by Brendan Cowell. The final works were displayed at Arts Centre Melbourne to celebrate Arts Project's 40th anniversary.

Director of The Sublime and Endgame Sam Strong said, 'We're excited to be renewing and extending our collaboration with Arts Project Australia. The partnership on The Sublime was a fabulous collision of artists from our respective worlds, resulting in some beautiful original pieces. It is fitting that we get to join forces again on the work of Samuel Beckett, an artist with a deep love of visual art and whose late plays blur the line between visual and performing art.'

Arts Project Australia Executive Director Sue Roff said, 'Arts Project Australia is thrilled to partner with MTC again, and it is exciting to see our artists extend and develop their artist practice in this unique environment.'

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.

MTC's production of Endgame stars Colin Friels, Luke Mullins, Julie Forsyth and Rhys McConnochie. Directed by MTC Associate Artistic Director Sam Strong, the production opens Thursday 26 March at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner.

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