Sitting at the doorstep of the Wollemi National Park in Bilpin is BigCi, a place full of inspiration and exploration for visiting artists.
Founded by Rae and Yuri Bolotin in 2011, BigCi is an independent, not-for-profit artist residency. It provides a space for the professional development and creation of new work by artists from around the globe. Located along the dramatic Botanists Way, BigCi is only 1.5 hours out of Sydney and within easy reach by car from the world famous Blue Mountains National Park and the stunning Gardens of Stone National Park.
The property features eight acres of bushland, a mudbrick house including various artist studios and the purpose built six-metre high art shed, which was constructed from recycled materials using environmental design principles.
Magda Wegrzyn from Torun, Poland was selected from over 60 applications featuring 33 countries, to spend six weeks at BigCi and develop a body of work titled ERROR STRATEGY.
It’s based on Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson’s exploration and crossing of the Blue Mountains area and its twofold consequences: the achievement of successfully navigating extremely challenging terrain and finding access to new land for agricultural purposes on the one hand; and the dispossession of the traditional owners of the land and destruction of their culture on the other.
Intrigued by this duality of exploration, Wegrzyn’s exhibition will investigate the idea of errors made in past explorations of new territory and the implications for future generations.
Wegrzyn is a visual artist, doctoral researcher and independent curator. Her work deals with connections between visual perception, technology and communication. She will be living and working at BigCi from mid-February to the end of March.
She’s giving a talk at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery on Saturday 27th February from 11am – 12.30pm in conjunction with the Biennale of Sydney Regional Tour.
Visit Magda at the BigCi Open Day during the Easter Weekend, on Sunday 27 March from 11am – 3pm. There’s artists’ talks and a presentation about the residency program by Sabrina Roesner, Exhibitions Manager with Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Have lunch at BigCi in the beautiful bushland from 1-2pm
About the Residency
In recognition of the significance and outstanding beauty of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre partnered with BigCi and launched The World Heritage Artists in Residence Program in June 2015. This program consists of a six-week artist residency for one artist at BigCi to create a new body of work in response to the World Heritage Area followed by an exhibition at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery. The aim of the program is to support excellence and innovation in the development of new work and to facilitate professional development opportunities for emerging, mid-career and established artists in a nurturing environment.
The residency program encourages artists to draw inspiration from one of the world’s most environmentally and historically significant locations – The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and provides a platform for artists to create new, quality work, to preserve and interpret the history of the Blue Mountains, to educate current and future generations and to continue the great legacy of artists who have been inspired by the Blue Mountains.
World Heritage Artist in Residence Artist Talk & Biennale of Sydney Regional Tour
20th Biennale artist Charwei Tsai and BigCi artist in residence Magda Wegrzyn
Saturday 27 February 11am – 12.30pm
Blue Mountains City Art Gallery
30 Parke Street, Katoomba
Free with gallery ticket.
Website
BigCi Open Day including presentations by Magda Wegrzyn, World Heritage Artist in Residence and Sabrina Roesner, Exhibitions Manager, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
Sunday, 27 March 11am – 3pm. Program details to be released soon.
82 Hanlons Road, Bilpin
(please note BigCi is only open to the public on the Open Day, Sunday 27th March)
Website
