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[title]Do you ever feel intimidated walking into a traditional art gallery? Tiptoeing around a silent white room surveying high art painted by white men who knows how long ago? It can all be a bit much for those of us who missed the ‘art appreciation’ chapter as kids.
Thankfully, there’s no trace of buttoned-up elitism at Brunswick’s Honey Bones Gallery. The mentorship-focused institution embraces community rather than hierarchy as its guiding principle, with every artist involved receiving an equal share of the limelight – no matter if they’re ‘well-known’ or just starting out.
Managing director Britt Devlin says the gallery is about much more than your typical “come in, look at some art, walk out and that’s the end of the interaction”. Alongside creative director and artist Jess Wright, Devlin is using her background in architecture and business to build a different kind of art gallery.
Honey Bones, which describes itself as a culture-heavy, First Nations-owned gallery by artists and for artists, runs a suite of initiatives aimed at engaging the community beyond the usual art crowd. According to Devlin, that world does tend to “feel very insular”.
“It’s really important for us to create different avenues,” she says.
Exhibitions are often group shows where all artists are billed equally, and newbies can apply to join the residency program to get a leg up. “We try to make everyone feel like the main event by elevating emerging artists,” says Devlin.
But in Devlin’s eyes, bridging the gap between art and community must stretch one step further – what about those people who don’t necessarily think of themselves as artists? That’s where Honey Bones’ weekly art therapy sessions come in. Anyone can register to join Art Club sessions and there’s no minimum ‘artistic skill’ requirement. We’re all innate artists, right?
“It creates a new medium for conversations and a new way for people to express themselves,” says Devlin.
We’re breaking down the walls between art galleries and the community and finding different ways for them to interact.
Now, the Honey Bones team is rolling the Art Club concept into an open exhibition called Collective, running from July 26 until August 18. Anyone, self-identified artist or not, was able to contribute.
“We’re also compiling the artworks and writing into a book. We see that as an archive of community voices through art as a medium.
“Especially in the times we’re in, being in disarray, it’s an important way for people to start to consider different ways of connecting and expressing what we’re all going through.”
Britt Devlin and Honey Bones are making great strides in shaping the future of Melbourne’s art community, so what’s her secret sauce? She says focusing on creating new ways of working and appreciating the differences everyone brings to the table is key.
“Everyone has unique takes on everything because they are creative, and really unique backgrounds and sets of experiences,” she says.
“We all contribute to each other’s projects in a formal way, but there’s also the informality of creating an environment where people can come together and feed on each other’s creative energy and ideas. It’s really special.”
And her advice for people keen to create something new for their own community? Keep it simple and don’t let doubt hold you back. “What resources do you have at your disposal right now and how can you do something meaningful with that? It’s really easy to overcomplicate things and make everything feel massive.
“Collaboration is so powerful,” she says. “Start with what you have.”