There are three new exhibitions opening at the East Gippsland Art Gallery, with Michael Donnelly’s Stories and Dreams, Tammi McKenzie’s Book of Fishes and Elizabeth Blakeman’s With a Beady Eye: Bushfire and Beyond on display from July 31 to September 5, 2026, with a special opening event at 5.30pm on Friday, July 31 2026.
Entry is free and all are welcome to attend.
Melbourne and East Gippsland-based artist Michael Donnelly presents a selection of figurative drawings, paintings and landscapes spanning more than three decades.
Bringing together works from the 1990s to the present, the exhibition explores recurring themes of landscape, religion, spirituality and the environment, through a series of expansive compositions.
Elizabeth Blakeman’s intricate beaded works and found objects, explore landscape, loss and recovery.
Developed over several years, this body of work reflects on the immediate aftermath of the 2019/20 summer fires, from seeking refuge at Wairewa Hall to witnessing the gradual regeneration of the landscape.
Lake Tyers Beach-based printmaker Tammi McKenzie draws inspiration from the local landscape and fauna.
Her current body of work explores local fish species, influenced by 18th-century zoological studies and the simplicity of Japanese fish prints.
Using a unique hand-printing process without a press, McKenzie creates highly individual works with limited print runs, combining traditional techniques with a contemporary approach.
To complement the exhibition, artists Michael Donnelly and Elizabeth Blakeman will present an artist talk on Saturday, August 22 at 11am, sharing insights into their practices and the stories behind their works.
