VAS 9x5 EXHIBITION 2024
It was the original iconic Impressionism Exhibition in 1889, which was organised and featured paintings by famous Victorian Artists Society artists Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Charles Conder, who painted on cigar box lids 9 by 5 inches in size which sparked current President of the Victorian Artists Society, Artist Mark Bagally, to undertake a unique and timely project to complete one 10x8 oil painting every day with a one hour limit.
The original Exhibition opened on 17 August 1889 at Buxton's Rooms on Swanston Street and featured 183 works, the majority of which were painted on cigar boxes. The Exhibition was a major success and became the birth of the 9x5 art movement which is now practiced widely in Australia and is strongly supported by Art Societies and Galleries as an enduring positive contribution for artists who have followed the 9x5 trail.
Mark Bagally said he commenced the project on 11 May 2023 with the goal to complete one 10” x 8” oil painting, within a one hour time limit, every day for one year.
Without missing a single day and allowing for this year being a leap year he completed the 366, 10” x 8” oil paintings with the brush to the canvas for a total of 18,435 minutes (307.25 hours).
Commenting on the project Mark Bagally said 'It has been a very real exercise in discipline, having made a promise to myself that if I missed a day, I would abandon the project.
Many things happen over the course of a year. Holidays and family events, various other artistic commitments, a couple of bouts of COVID etc. I have had to constantly plan around these day to day activities and commitments to achieve the goal.'
Images from 'In the Artists Footsteps': www.artistsfootsteps.com
The Victorian Artists Society will stage its annual 9x5 Exhibition from Friday 5 July until Monday 5 August 2024, exhibiting the artworks of 250 artists.
The VAS 9x5 Exhibition highlights and celebrates the importance of the original 9x5 Art Movement established by the original members of the Victorian Artists Society featured below, which is now practiced and supported around Australia by many Art Galleries.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith OAM Hon FVAS, Victorian Artists Society - Mobile: 0417 329 201
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