Australian-owned media company VMG has stepped up its commitment to the arts with new exhibitions as part of its VMG Art Series at the VMG-owned Yakkazoo Melbourne HQ.
The series showcases a diverse collection of emerging and established Australian artists, with two new exhibitions opening this week.
Yakkazoo managing director, Mark Barrett has partnered with Melbourne-based art advisor, Catherine Asquith for the VMG Art Series. Together they have developed an exhibition series that supports a diverse collection of artists while enabling a continuously evolving creative environment.
Two exhibitions in the VMG Art Series, Rehgan De Mather’s “Chase the Sun” (featured image) and Adrian Corke’s “Trace” opened this month and will show until June.
De Mather is a Melbourne-based artist who considers his approach to art as being serious and humorous, and purposeful and deliberately haphazard. Central to his practice is the creative process where he reuses and recycles works, cutting them up and casting them amongst new landscapes.
Meanwhile, Corke’s practice comprises art making processes fusing fragments of the artist’s memory and experience – the juxtapositions of time, culture, and place. He works across a range of media including, drawing, print and painting.
Barrett said the VMG Art Series plays a dual role in supporting emerging artists, whose industry was hugely impacted by the pandemic, as well as inspiring the agency team with a constantly changing and inspiring creative environment. The exhibitions are housed in a purpose-built area of Yakkazoo’s South Yarra office.
“For Yakkazoo, the VMG Art Series is about us practicing what we preach by supporting emerging and established artists without representation in Melbourne, while also fostering a truly creative environment for our team,” he said.
“I am extremely proud of how we have brought to life our VMG Art Series in our new HQ in Melbourne.”
Art advisor, Catherine Asquith said it was great to see VMG throwing its support behind the arts industry while also creating an environment that fosters a real sense of creativity and culture for staff.
“I’m very proud to be working with VMG to bring its Art Series to life for underrepresented visual artists within an innovative space and purpose-designed environment,” said Asquith.
“It creates a unique opportunity for them to showcase their work and their art practice to a new audience – from the staff and clients inhabiting this space, through to interior designers, curators, collectors and Victorian-based gallerists. It really is an incredible opportunity and initiative.”
With support from the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts Internship program, and Asquith’s supervision, VMG has also appointed an intern who will be provided with experience on managing the end-to-end life cycle of an exhibition.
The VMG Art Series is creating a platform for artists to showcase their work and are on display at Yakkazoo Melbourne HQ. Viewing is by appointment only.
