Benalla Art Gallery is presenting yet another unique and engaging gallery shop exhibition, this time a selection of functional clocks by artist Lee Gilmour
The intricate and practical exhibit named Time Honoured State of the Art will be on display in the gallery shop throughout June.
Mr Gilmour describes himself as a maker of clocks, lamps and other curious things.
He draws inspiration from objects scavenged from his surroundings and explores ways they fit together and can be reused.
In a world where disposable products, fast fashion and single use items play only a fleeting part in our lives, the exhibition seeks to slow time so we may ponder on the item and its past.
“Each piece is made up from now-defunct equipment that was once at the forefront of technology — part of what made it new and exciting,” Mr Gilmour said.
“These are married with a common theme of horology (the art of making instruments for indicating time).
“The earliest adapted chronographs on display are old Nixie Valves updated on Arduino circuits.
“These 1950s relics now glow with 21st century technology — handcrafted valves energised by mass produced circuitry.
“Now mostly obsolete, these once proud items have been discarded or merely used for ornamental purposes.
“It is as part of every community that we have somewhere to dispose of our unwanted items — colloquially referred to as the ‘tip’ or ‘dump’.
“These words do not evoke anything more within us than that of waste. Resource recovery is the new buzzword for progressive communities, and the intent is all that is destined for landfill is given a chance for a second life.
“A re-use, another purpose or even a stay of execution.
“The exhibition will hopefully stimulate the mind to reassess what we are about to trash and allow another to find as a treasure.”
Currently based in the Mallee, Mr Gilmour has spent the past decade or so in a range of improvised studios in different locations, amassing and assembling a collection of found materials into unique sculptural time pieces.
Recently described as a ‘contraptionist’, Mr Gilmour’s artistic aim is to give new meaning to something that has been discarded.
Mr Gilmour has exhibited in a number of group shows, including Forrest on the Nullarbor, a permanent installation at Forrest Airport, Western Australia (2018 to present); Sculptures in the Garden, Rosebury Winery, Mudgee, NSW (2016); and The 2800 Show, Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, NSW (2016).
Mr Gilmour will present a free artist talk at Benalla Art Gallery at 3pm, today — Wednesday, June 14.
To secure your place, contact the gallery on 5760 2619 or via gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au/