Emerging From Darkness exhibition offers cultural experience in Hamilton

From baroque art to eels and excellent food, a weekend away in the Hamilton area offers a fascinating reprieve from everyday life.

Executive chef Robin Wickens in the kitchen garden at Royal Mail Hotel in the Grampians. Picture: Nicole Cleary.

The Hamilton region offers an escape filled with delicious food, fascinating culture and internationally acclaimed art.

We set off late Friday afternoon for a weekend headlined by Hamilton Gallery’s new exhibition, which features an impressive line-up of baroque pieces.

That night, we pull up at the Royal Mail Hotel, located at the base of the Grampians in Dunkeld, a drive of about 2½ hours from Geelong.

With Mount Sturgeon as its backdrop, the hotel has a focus on fine food.

The Royal Mail.

We head to Parker Street Project, the more relaxed of the accommodation’s two dining options, which offers fresh and creative fare.

The next morning, we drive for about an hour to Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, located by Tae Rak (Lake Condah), for a tour to learn about the area’s First Nations history.

We explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, home to one of the oldest aquaculture systems in the world, and learn how Gunditjmara people trapped and smoked kooyang (eels).

Heading back to the bush tucker cafe at the aquaculture centre, which has a varied menu and specialises in eel delicacies, we spot a number of koalas.

We leave the centre enlightened about the fascinating life cycle of eels and drive to the Hamilton Gallery.

The exhibition Emerging From Darkness: Faith, Emotion and The Body in the Baroque presents more than 70 important works by world-renowned baroque masters, including several never before seen in Australia.

Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos forecast the exhibition was set to attract thousands of visitors to Hamilton and the region over the summer and school holidays.

Drawn from a partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and loans from the National Gallery of Australia and private lenders from across the country, Emerging from Darkness showcases rare and iconic works by significant baroque artists.

This collection of historical pieces, displayed together for the first time, is exhibited alongside works by contemporary artists who are active in the baroque style.

Nicolas Régnier’s Hero and Leander. C. 1625-26. Oil on canvas. From the National Gallery of Victoria for Hamilton Gallery exhibition Emerging from Darkness. Picture: Supplied

Hailed as one of the most ambitious exhibitions ever held in regional Australia, Emerging from Darkness explores the international movement that changed the course of art at the beginning of the 17th century, giving insight into artists and the ongoing influence of baroque.

Characteristics of baroque paintings include dark backgrounds, sharp shadows and deep colours.

Highlights of the show include several paintings by 17th century female artists reclaiming experiences of violence and turmoil.

Laurie Benson, curator of international art at the NGV, says Emerging From Darkness could signal a new model for regional exhibitions.

“We’ve lent things that we’ve never lent before to anywhere in the world,” he explains.

He says the “drama” of the baroque period, which saw artists ramp up “sex and violence”, attracted people to the art.

“People are having physical reactions to this show,” he observes.

Hamilton Gallery director Joshua White says the exhibition represents a cultural experience that would usually be attained by international travel.

“This is a really fantastic model for regional galleries,” he says.

On Saturday night, we dine at the Wickens at the Royal Mail, which offers a creative degustation menu celebrating produce from the hotel’s produce garden.

And on Sunday morning we stop by the charming Dunkeld Old Bakery to refuel for the drive home, where I’ll envision my next trip, exploring trails in the Grampians.

The journalist stayed at the Royal Mail Hotel as a guest of Hamilton Gallery. Emerging from Darkness runs until April 14. For more information, visit www.hamiltongallery.org

Originally published as Emerging From Darkness exhibition offers cultural experience in Hamilton