Pop-up art returns in the RAG Red Box – Now at RPAC

The Redland Art Gallery (RAG) Red Box has returned to bring a special showcase of artworks to the Redlands Coast.

Redland Performing Arts Centre is the newest pop-up gallery venue after the program was put on hold last year due to COVID-19.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said its return celebrated visual arts within the Redlands Coast community by offering a free display space for individual artists, schools and community groups.

“The reboot of the Red Box program also signals an extension of the art program at Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC),” Cr Williams said.

“The RAG Red Box allows us to take art outside of the usual gallery walls and share some of the amazing work by artists from and connected to Redlands Coast.”

Expressions of interest are now open for artists who would like to exhibit in the RAG Red Box.

This first showcase features Brisbane-based artist Rachel Apelt’s collection of ecoprints, called Understory.

Ms Apelt said the work explored a sense of place and how we build connection with local land, its water, diverse life forms and communities, often becoming passionate protectors of place.

“Understory includes 487 tiles from ecoprints on Parasol Leaf Tree (Macaranga tanarius) leaves,” Ms Apelt said.

“As I began collecting Macaranga leaves for Understory in February 2021, I found they sparked conversations and new connections.

“Women stopped and asked me about what I was doing. We’d have a chat about art, creek regeneration, urban foraging and then continue on our way with a lighter heart for the connection.

“Each batch of ecoprints had their own personality. Sometimes the paper emerged with a beautiful sienna hue, other times it came out almost purple, and in between, there were variations of brown and grey.

“Sometimes the leaves barely left an impression, other times they were rich with black tannin. I loved that the process was out of my control and was more like a dance of possibility. This always yields creative delight.”

‘Understory’ is on display in the RAG Red Box at RPAC and can be viewed during regular Box Office hours until 28 May. Admission is free.

Ms Apelt is also conducting a free ticketed floor talk and afternoon tea on Friday 21 May at 2pm.

For more information on the RAG Red Box, and to submit an expression of interest to exhibit in the space, visit http://artgallery.redland.qld.gov.au/redbox/

Image below: Understory by Rachel Apelt