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ZOONOSES

4 May - 28 July 2024
Main Gallery

Through drawing and lithography, artist Dr Nicola Hooper uses fairy-tale iconology, rhymes, and associated anthropomorphism to both discuss and educate about zoonotic viruses (animal diseases that cross-over to humans).

The exhibition ZOONOSES explores how we perceive certain animals in the context of fear of disease, and also endeavours to bring attention to these animal hosts to give a more balanced and considered opinion of their role in the natural world.
 

About Dr Nicola Hooper

Nicola Hooper is a Meajin/Logan-based artist/printmaker and educator who lives and works on the land of the Yuggera people. She completed a Doctorate in Visual Arts from QCAD Griffith University in 2019 on a Griffith University postgraduate scholarship with her research Zoonoses - A Visual Narrative.

Hooper’s lithography and installation work, explores the complex relationships between humans, animals and disease. She does this using fairy-tale iconology and rhymes to explore concepts surrounding zoonoses (animal diseases that can infect humans). Nicola's narrative driven subversive artworks consist of large lithographic sculptures, artists books, wallpapers, 2D lithographic prints and drawings.
 

Exhibition program and events 

Official Opening: ZOONOSES (this event has passed)

Artwork of a flea in front of vivid green, patterned wallpaperJoin us at Hurstville Museum & Gallery for the official opening of ZOONOSES, an exhibition of works by Dr Nicola Hooper. The opening will be attended by special guest speaker Michael Wardell, Art Gallery Coordinator at Logan City Council.

Friday 3 May 2024
Time: 6.00pm 
Cost: Free event 

Image: Dr Nicola Hooper, The Giant Flea (detail), 2017, digital print of hand-coloured lithograph on foam board, 100 x 100cm and Ode to Morris Zoonotic Wallpaper, 2017, digital vinyl print of hand coloured lithograph, image courtesy the artist.

ZOONOSES Artist Talk with Dr Nicola Hooper (this event has passed)

The artist, Dr Nicola Hooper, smiling at the camera. Bright green wallpaper in background.Join Dr Nicola Hooper as she discusses her works in the exhibition ZOONOSES, which stems from her doctoral research and provides insightful observations into our contradictory perceptions of animals in relation to fear of disease.

Saturday 4 May 2024
Time: 10.30am – 11.30am.
Cost: Free event 
Ages: 16 years and over.

Image: Portrait of Dr Nicola Hooper by Sam Townsend at Grafton Regional Gallery. Image courtesy of the artist.

ZOONOSES Lithography Workshop (this event has passed)

Black and white photograph of a lithographic artwork of a hog, a hand in top left of frame wiping down the work.Join ZOONOSES artist Dr Nicola Hooper for a hands-on printmaking workshop delivered at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

Saturday 4 May 2024
Time: 1.15pm - 3.45pm.
Cost: $25.00 (excluding online booking fee).
Ages: 16 years and over.

Image: ZOONOSES Lithographic Workshop. Photograph by Jonathan Tse. Image courtesy of the artist.

Baby explorer

Baby smiling on colourful quilt.Join a tour of the current Main Gallery exhibition with your little one. Our Baby Explorers program is designed for parents and carers of babies 12 months and under to come for a guided tour of the current Main Gallery exhibition.

Wednesday 8 May 2024 - Sold out
Wednesday 12 June 2024
Time: Guided tour 10.35am, sensory pit open from 10.15am-  11.30am
Cost: $5.00 per adult participant. Babies are free.
Ages: Suitable for babies up to the age of 12 months. 

Book Now

Beeswax wrap workshop

Different coloured beeswax wrap packs, with one shown wrapping a bunch of zuchinis.Join us for this hands-on workshop and learn how to make your own beeswax wraps. Suitable for ages 16 years and over.

Friday 28 June 2024
Friday 26 July 2024

Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Cost: $25.00 (excluding online booking fee).

Book Now

Image: Beeswax Food wraps, courtesy of Kirsty Mootz. Picture by Kate Scott Creative.

ZOONOSES exhibition - Open Day

Blue packet of cricket corn chips.

Join Hurstville Museum & Gallery for an Open Day filled with activities for all ages! Touch and hold live Australian invertebrates, eat an edible insect at our tasting station and much more! Suitable for all ages.

Saturday 20 July 2024
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Cost: Free.

Book Now

Image: Cricket corn chips. Image courtesy of Circle Harvest, Edible Bug Shop.

ZOONOSES Wallpaper Project

A person colouring in at the ZOONOSES Wallpaper colouring stationColour in a wallpaper tile to add to the wall or construct a fly for our ZOONOSES Wallpaper project!

Saturday 4 May to Sunday 28 July 2024
Available during opening hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Cost: Free

Educational Resource

Framed picture of mice and a cat shaped teapot, surrounded by green backdrop.This Educational Resource will enable upper primary and lower secondary students to explore both the practical skills and the ideological principles embedded in the artworks in the ZOONOSES touring exhibition.

Through Dr Nicola Hooper’s artworks, students will have opportunities to explore aspects of 'zoonoses' from the perspectives of science, sociology, literature and visual arts. By exploring diverse media, students will develop an understanding of the works displayed in this exhibition.

The Responding & Making activities will assist students in the acquisition of knowledge and skills to better understand the theoretical ideas of the artist’s unique approach to this topic. Dr Nicola Hooper does this whilst incorporating a drawing style that celebrates natural history and children’s book illustrations.
                                                       
Download the Educational Resource for teachers and students.

Image: Dr Nicola Hooper, Love Potion and Methodology (detail), 2019, hand-coloured lithographs, and Lady Wildes Toxoplasmosis Wallpaper, 2017, digital vinyl print of hand coloured lithograph, image courtesy the artist. 

ZOONOSES trail

Giant horse fly in front of green patterned wall paper.
Time to get creative!
Come along with your group and use the Great Art Detective trail throughout the ZOONOSES exhibition. 

Great Art Detective was developed by Bayside Gallery, Melbourne.
If you are bringing a group larger than 10 people, please get in contact to ensure we have availability and enough copies printed onsite. 

To book, email museumgallery@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au.

Image: Dr Nicola Hooper, Install of The Giant Horse Fly, 2018, digital print of hand-coloured lithograph on foam board, 120 x 100cm in front of Tularaemia Zoonotic Wallpaper, 2017, digital vinyl print of hand coloured lithograph, image courtesy the artist.

Banner image and Official Opening image in the table: Dr Nicola Hooper, The Giant Fleas, 2017. Digital print of hand coloured lithographs on rubber, fishing line and suspension springs 130x140cm, hung in front of Dr Nicola Hooper’s 'Ode to Morris’ Zoonotic Wallpaper digital print of hand coloured lithograph, size variable. Image courtesy of the artist.

Acknowledgements:
ZOONOSES is a touring exhibition of works by Dr Nicola Hooper presented by Logan Art Gallery, Logan City Council, in partnership with Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program, and is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Proudly sponsored by Haymes Paint.


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