Defender of the arts

Wyndham’s new visual arts curator Megan Evans. 73587   Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKIWyndham’s new visual arts curator Megan Evans. 73587 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI

By XAVIER SMERDON
EXPECT to see a lot more art in Wyndham as the council announced the appointment of the first ever Visual Arts Curator last week.
Megan Evans, an acclaimed artist for 28 years, has taken up the position and she aims to give residents a greater understanding of art.
The job will involve setting up art shows at community centres, managing the council’s art collection and selecting art works for the Wyndham Cultural Centre’s gallery.
Ms Evans said art could be used to bring more visitors to Wyndham.
“I really love that we can use the gallery to raise the profile of Wyndham,” Ms Evans said.
“It doesn’t matter what we do, people still think it’s a sewerage farm out here, but I think art can invigorate a community.”
Ms Evans said art was under-appreciated in Wyndham, following the recent public outcry over two public art purchases made by the council.
“I think people need to be involved in art to understand it better,” she said.
“You can’t expect people to understand art if they haven’t had access to it and I think there needs to be more access to it in Wyndham.”
The professional artist said often once residents knew more about a piece of art they began to appreciate it more.
“Public art is difficult but when it works it’s really great and people will often start to really defend public art,” she said.
Ms Evans said she hopes to work with local artists to give them more access to greater opportunities.

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