Art Matters #61 - JD Mittmann, Curator, Burrinja Cultural Centre.
Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019

Todays interview on Art Matters was JD Mittmann, Curator and Manager of collections at Burrinja Cultural Centre.
We talked about the Acquisitive Award Exhibition as a part of the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale #4.
The Acquisitive Award Exhibition sits at the heart of BCCB#4, showcasing an inspiring and thought-provoking collection of works that respond to the urgent conversations surrounding climate change and the environment.
Featuring both local and nationally recognised artists, the exhibition will involve more than 40 artists from across Australia who have been selected to participate through an application process.

The exhibition presents a diverse range of contemporary practices across painting, photography, sculpture, installation, digital and new media, bringing together Victorian and interstate artists in a powerful exploration of art, ecology and the future of our planet.

JD, curated the very first Climate change Biennale back in 2015 - with the vision to hold the climate change themed exhibition every other year - to bring together artists to create works that, move, inspire and start conversations for viewers.

JD highlighted a few different works that will be a part of the show as well as some of the adjoining foyer, airlock and interactive pieces that will happen during the Burrinja climate change biennale period:

Panacea – Dale Cox
Sat 22 Aug - Sun 8 Nov 2026, Burrinja Foyer (free) - Further Information

Roll Up by Liz Magor
Sat 22 Aug - Sun 25 Oct, Burrinja Airlock Gallery (free) - Further Information

Sharon Field – The Scrolls – 3,000 days…and counting
3-6 Sep & 23-25 Oct, Burrinja Foyer (free) - Further Information

Oyster shells amongst bricks (smelling the dust)
By Beth Arnold and Katie Lee. Sun 23 Aug - Sat 17 Oct, Burrinja Foyer (free) - Further Information

ARia: Song Unseen
By Catherine Gough-Brady, W. Sze Tsang and Cassandra Tytler. Sun 23 Aug - Sat 17 Oct,
Forecourt - Coole's Café at Burrinja (free) - Further Information

The Acquisitive Award Exhibition
Sat 22 Aug - Sun 25 Oct 2026
Burrinja Cultural Centre
351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey 
www.burrinja.org.au

Exhibition Opening - Sun 23 August, 2pm to 4pm (free event)

Join us in celebrating the opening of the exhibition, experience powerful works that respond to climate change alongside participating artists, and hear the stories, ideas, and environmental concerns behind their creative practices.
RSVP HERE

The 2026 iteration of the BCCB#4 is a very full program with so much to see take, part in and be moved by. 
Including art, film, talks, walks, and music at Burrinja and also The Memo and the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum to find out all about it take a look at the Full program here - Burrinja Climate Change Biennale #4

Main Artwork by Chris Lawry, The Great Wave Goodbye, 2017, Linocut (printed on Japanese paper, and mounted on heavy mount board.

Things to go see:
Town Hall Gallery
Firestation Print Studio Gallery
Linden New Art
Kingston Arts Centre
William Mora Galleries

Todays tracks:
Hard to be Moved, Eddy Current Suppression Ring
My Soul / Half Pint, Dry Cleaning
Out to Sea, Jamie Saxe

SUBSCRIBERS:
Little Acres - Ange
Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist
Sing Song Ceramics - Selby
Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist
Shirley Dougen – Artist
Natasja - Textile artist
Rajko Grbac (sculptor)
The Forge Institute – Community Group
The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY
Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave 

Please get in touch with us if you are interested in being a part of the Art Matters team and bringing art to the radio or to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events.
artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm