Kate Beynon and Rali Beynon in the studio during a Collingwood Yards Bank of Melbourne Residency. Photographed on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Photo: Mark Mohell.
Spirits Shapeshifting blends watercolour and digital animation to bring vibrant beings to life amid botanical dreamscapes, atmospheric skies and kaleidoscopic visions. Interwoven with giant lotus and a future-fantastic forest is a cast of supernatural characters and sci-fi versions of family including beloved animal spirits.
This collaborative work by Naarm/Melbourne-based creative family collective Kate Beynon, Rali Beynon and Michael Pablo draws inspiration from their blend of diverse cultural backgrounds, including Cantonese-Malaysian, Afro-Caribbean, First Nations Pima-Mexican, Welsh/Celtic and Nordic ancestries.
Exploring ideas of storytelling, kindred spirits, shapeshifting, fluid and hybrid identities through guardian spirits and talismanic imagery, Spirits Shapeshifting evokes an otherworldly space to counteract earthly anxieties and troubled times.
This site-specific work was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery for the 2023 Enlighten Festival. Kate Beynon’s work is also featured in the Portrait Gallery’s new contemporary art exhibition Portrait23: Identity.
Special thanks: National Portrait Gallery, Kamberri/Canberra; The Electric Canvas; Centre for Projection Art; Collingwood Yards; Guest Work Agency; Sutton Gallery, Naam/Melbourne
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Ancestors past, present and future of the Woiwurrung Wurundjeri people on the Country where we live and create, and the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of Kamberri/Canberra on the Country where our work will be situated and experienced. In solidarity we pay respect to all First Nations people worldwide.
Kate Beynon is represented by Sutton Gallery, Naarm/Melbourne.
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@rali_beynon
The details
What: Enlighten – Spirits Shapeshifting
When: Friday 3 March until Monday 13 March 2023, 8 pm to 10 pm
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free.
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