A recap of 2013 at Cell Art Space by Sandy Edgar

It's been a huge year for us at Cell, and it's sure been a learning curve for the new team but I for one have enjoyed the experience immensely and look forward to another year's worth of awesome art in this terrific space.

To commemorate my first year at Cell, I've put together this post to share with you my favorite job as a co-director which is providing the installation photography. I'm really glad I was able to make all of the installations this year and provide images of the experience and content for our artists to share.

To Navigate:You can click on each of the images below to go directly to the exhibition page on our website and you can click on the artist's names underneath the pictures to visit their website also.

January - "Suggestive Nature" by Natalie Whitcher

Natalie's beautiful film photography exhibition was our 'first cab off the rank'  It was also the same day I learnt to bring a fan to every installation.  Natalie was the last artist who got to have an opening at the Havana's before it closed.

February - "Car Bodies" by Francesca Rosa

Another photography exhibition this time paying homage to abandoned cars found in North Queensland.  This was the last installation by co-director Rachel Weston before her move to Melbourne (but she remains a co-director).

March - "A Sense of Place" curated by Saltwater Creek Basketry Group

Former co-director Rose Rigley took part in this exhibition and helped the first-time-exhibiting group install this beautiful exhibition while I had fun creating a short video of the installation as well that you can see here.

April - "Fusion" by Sandy Edgar

This was my exhibition (images by myself and Natalie Whitcher).  I had secured the booking before I joined the team so it was surreal to install my own work next but it was great to see both sides of the experience and on the day Sandra and Natalie were a huge help.

May - "Invisible" curated by Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service

This was our most solemn exhibitions this year and the thing that gave me hope after seeing the heart-breaking art in this exhibition was how caring Marta, the social worker who curated the exhibition was.  It's not easy to broach this kind of subject in a public space but it was important to let the children artists express themselves without the fear of reproach.   

June - Reuse & Recycle Cairns presents Shane Noble

Shane was a last minute change of artist but it was great to have his art in the space.  We had our first open-door event on the same day we installed which had a great turn-out and it was made even more special to hear the stories behind each artwork.

July - "Heart Strings" by Heather Tanner-McGiffin

Heather's installation was a tribute to her heritage and a clever use of the space.  Heather used this opportunity to evolve the installation from a 2D to 3D piece and it was great to see an artist in practice, working with a concept and a space.

August - "Wing Tip Vortice" by Jo Lankester & Michelle Hall

The artwork that almost didn't make it up from Townsville!  It was great to have non-local artists take advantage of the space and to see such a delicate but elegant installation in the space.

September - "Can You Hear It?" by Serena Kuring

Next up was Serena's first solo show with some gorgeous large colour and linocut prints which were based on her unique sensory perception and selected from her portfolio created while studying at James Cook University.  She was the last of three JCU student to exhibit throughout the year.

October - 2013 Energy Exhibition - Sponsored by Ergon Energy

We also had a terrific crop of high-school students exhibit.  Curated by co-director Kirstie Irwin with the help from Natalie and Sandra, this year's Energy Exhibition was a great experience for all involved and the quality of the art we had to choose from was staggering.

November - "I am Man: International Men's Day Exhibition" curated by Pop Up Collective

This marked the first time we commemorated this awareness day and it was created with the intention to begin conversations that challenge the 'Aussie' stereotypes of men.  A small exhibition but with plenty of variety in style and art forms.

December - "Continuum: 2013 Co-Directors Exhibition" curated by Dorothy Clews

Outgoing co-director Dorothy's last project for Cell which is an exhibition created to comemorate the first 10 years of Cell Art Space and the ongoing evolution of the space under each team of co-directors.  A great way to finish the year but also sad to see Dorothy go.

We are nearly fully booked for 2014 but you still have time to put in your own application and join the long list of great artists who have had an exhibition in this wonderful little glass box gallery.  Head on over to our website where you will find the application form.