This spring, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre invites visitors to experience two thought-provoking exhibitions that explore creativity, memory and the stories that connect us. Opening together on Friday 25 September, The Dobell Drawing Prize and Unbound by Lee Mitchell offer a compelling double bill for art lovers and curious travellers alike.
Widely recognised as Australia’s leading prize for drawing, The Dobell Drawing Prize celebrates the evolving possibilities of one of the oldest artistic mediums. Presented by the National Art School in partnership with the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, the touring exhibition showcases a selection of 42 outstanding works drawn from the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize. Featuring artists from across the country, the exhibition highlights the diversity of contemporary drawing practice, from traditional techniques to innovative and unexpected approaches.
Similarly local artist Lee Mitchell’s striking installation Unbound finds new ways of working with a familiar medium. Using thousands of discarded books sourced locally, Mitchell transforms familiar objects into monumental sculptural landscapes that are both visually captivating and deeply reflective. In an era where digital technology increasingly shapes how we access information and preserve memories, Unbound considers the fate of the printed book and the ideas it has carried through generations.
Through vast, immersive forms, the exhibition explores themes of consumption, waste, cultural heritage and environmental responsibility. It asks timely questions about what we choose to keep, what we let go, and how we navigate an increasingly uncertain future.
Best of all, there’s never been a better time to visit. With general admission to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre recently becoming free, everyone is invited to drop in and discover these remarkable exhibitions. Take your time, return with friends, and experience the artworks again and again throughout the season.
Learn more at www.bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au
Eamonn Jackson, Aftermath (detail), 2021–23, graphite on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Eamonn Jackson