Gallery | Tank’s Art Gallery opens, painting a new future for Shepparton’s art scene

On Thursday, February 6, Tank’s Art Gallery celebrated its official opening at 175 Corio St, Shepparton, bringing a local surrealist’s vision into unmistakable view.

That vision is to create a space for community, culture and art to thrive.

“This has been 25 years in the making,” gallery owner and artist Tank said.

“I take my time to do things and be methodical with how I do it, and it was about time for me and Shepparton itself.

“I’m just really, really overwhelmed and happy with the support from the community, and very thankful to be in a community that’s ready to support local arts and local artists.”

On a night of extreme heat, about 200 attendees came, mingled, took photos, ate and drank courtesy of the Shepparton Brewery’s catering, perspired and felt inspired.

Steve Tobin of Tank and Tobin Sculpture Works lent his metal-to-marvellous-feat sculptures to the gallery, along with the natural glazes and curve-defying works by ceramist Kaye Poulton.

From the man who can turn cans of paint into canvases worth eyeballing, Tank’s collection of surrealist art featured vibrant colours, distorted forms and frequent imagery of birds used the way Warhol used soup cans.

In fact, there was one artwork depicting Warhol, with said soup can superimposed on his face. Classic Tank.

City of Greater Shepparton Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy, who helped officiate the opening, said it best.

“When it comes to Tank, he is uniquely Shepparton,” he said.

“We know the man, we know the art, we know the integrity and flair he has.

“We need art and positivity in our lives, and art like this makes us smile, and to support it is to help it flourish.”

After the grand opening, Tank is eager to explore collaboration and growth opportunities within Shepparton’s artistic community, aiming to boost the local arts scene.

“I’m looking forward to holding small exhibitions with other artists, and I’d like to work with schools in the district to hold their end-of-year art exhibitions,” he said.

“The future’s looking bright, and the future for the art scene in Shepparton is getting brighter as well.”

Tank would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the opening, McKellar’s Picture Framing for their collaboration, and Shepparton Brewery for catering the evening.

He also wished to thank Anthony Brophy, “a good friend and a great member of the community”, for opening another one of his exhibitions and events.