MAP and Art & Architecture 2013-2016

Having created a range of arts programs in Sydney, artists/curators Billy Gruner and Sarah Keighery established Modern Art Projects (MAP) in 2013 following their move to the Blue Mountains, setting up ‘headquarters’ in their lovingly restored Nino Sydney designed Beachcomber House. In 2015 the restoration of the Beachcomber won the 2016 Australian Award for the Preservation of the Built Environment by the Heritage Council of Australia.

It was there that the Art & Architecture series of contemporary art exhibitions and events was conceived, assisted by collaborators Ian Milliss, Sarah Breen-Lovett, David Haines and Sean Cordeiro among others. It was the strong connection to architecture that developed the themes and projects with events created to bring arts, architecture, site visits and soirees into a single activity that included curator, building owner and architect talks. In addition to MAP, West Projects was set up in an old shop front in Hazelbrook with regular exhibitions and events.

The Art and Architecture program, which was supported by the Blue Mountains City of the Art Trust, culminated in the major exhibition MAPSPACE at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in 2016. MAP also held a number of other exhibitions and events during this period.

Selected MAP and Art & Architecture exhibitions and events 2013-2016

2013

MAP Opening - Beachcomber Faulconbridge. Curator: Billy Gruner

2014

Interregnum - Kia Sulc House Faulconbridge. Curator: Lizzy Marshall

Morton House - Morton House Woodford. Curator: Jaquelene Drinkall

BLACKMODULAR - Haines Hinterding House Lawson. Curators: David Haines/Joyce Hinterding

MAP Beachcomber Open Day - Beachcomber Faulconbridge. Curator: Billy Gruner

2015

The Lost House - 'Joalah' Rodd House Mt Tomah. Curator Anthony Bond OAM

MOUNTAIN FOLK - A GEOMETRIC VIEW - Everglades Leura. Curator: Billy Gruner

Unfolded Magenta World (with WEST) - WEST Project Space Hazelbrook. Curators: Billy Gruner/Beata Geyer

Portal to K-Town - Copper Beech House Katoomba. Curators: Claire Healy/Sean Cadiero

Reductive Response - Coorah Wentworth Falls. Curators: Billy Gruner/Beata Geyer

The Transit of Venus (The WOW Signal) - Woodford Academy. Curator: Billy Gruner

2016

Upper Mountains Modern - Pinter House Blackheath/ Booroolong House Medlow Bath. Curator: Billy Gruner

MAPSPACE -Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Katoomba. Curator: Billy Gruner

TEMPLE OF LIGHT - Church of the Latter Day Saints Katoomba. Curator: David Haines

REANIMATE: WAVEFORM WAVEFUNCTION - The Slab Hazelbrook. Curators: Miriam Williamson and Brad Allen Waters

MAP: Wantanganura/Skyworld - Varuna Katoomba. Curator: Graham Davis King

Futurist Dinner Dance - Wentworth Falls School of Arts. Curator/Organiser: Miriam Williamson

Club Edition - The Slab Hazelbrook. Curator: Beata Geyer

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For more information about the Art & Architecture project please click here.

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