A Summer Sojourn at Art Atrium

January 18, 2010MEDIA RELEASE A SUMMER SOJOURN AT ART ATRIUM 14 December – 27 February 2010Exhibition launch with artists to be opened by Dr. John Yu 6.00pm – 8.30pm on 27 January 2010Art Atrium today launched its Summer Sojourn exhibition, showcasing a diverse range of work from renowned Australian contemporary and Indigenous artists.The exhibition will feature artists including Brett Bailey, Chen Ping, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, John Mawurndjul, John Olsen, Gloria Petyarre, Kathleen Petyarre, Lloyd Rees, John Seed, Laurens Tan, Rover Thomas, Brett Whiteley, William Yang, Xifa Yang and Zhou Xiaoping.“Summer Sojourn is a continuation of the theme of our inaugural exhibition, Transcendence – Reflections of an East West Fusion. At Art Atrium we are always interested in the wide range of cultural influences on our artists. Summer Sojourn extends our exploration of the interplay between Asian and Western art to include other contemporary Australian and Indigenous artists,” Art Atrium director Simon Chan said.The exhibition will be launched by Dr John Yu AC, a distinguished pediatrics doctor, academic and former Australian of the Year. Dr Yu is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Chairman of Vis Asia, an organisation promoting interaction and exchange in the visual arts of Asia. He is an Honorary Associate of the Powerhouse Museum and from 1992 to 1996 served on the Museum's Board of Trustees.“Dr John Yu’s active promotion of Australian art in addition to his keen interest in Asian art lends itself very well to the theme of Summer Sojourn. His outstanding contribution to the Australian art scene is hugely inspirational and we are delighted Dr Yu will open our exhibition,” Art Atrium director Simon Chan said.Details for Art Atrium’s Summer Sojourn opening night are:Date: 27 January 2010Time: 6.00-8.30pmVenue: Art Atrium 181 Old South Head Road, Bondi Junction NSW 2022Summer Sojourn is open from 14 December – 27 February 2010 (Art Atrium will be closed from 21 December 2009 to 3 January 2010). A full catalogue will be available at www.artatrium.com.auEnds. About Art AtriumArt Atrium is about exceptional art. It seeks to achieve this objective through a commitment to artists with promise and potential as well as investment quality works. Founded in 2009, Art Atrium specialises in contemporary Australian and Aboriginal art and is a strong advocate for cross-cultural collaboration. The art gallery’s philosophy advocates art not just as a reflection of modern living but an expression of future possibilities. For more information about Art Atrium, see www.artatrium.com.auAbout Dr John Yu AC, MB BS (Syd), Hon MD (Syd), Hon DLitt (UWS) DCH (RCP&S), FRACP, FRACMADr Yu was Chief Executive of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney from 1978 to 1997 and before that time Head of Medicine at the hospital. In 1999 he was elected Chancellor of the University of New South Wales and was a Deputy Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney from 1997 to 1999. He is the inaugural Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee of the NSW Commission for Children and Young People. He joined the Australia-China Council of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1996 and was appointed Chair of the Council in 2000. Dr Yu is a graduate in Medicine of the University of Sydney and holds honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney.Dr Yu has made important contributions in many other areas and his interests extend widely beyond medicine. In recognition of his expertise in the decorative arts he has been made an Honorary Associate of the Powerhouse Museum and a Trustee of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Chairman of VisAsia, an organisation promoting interaction and exchange in the visual arts of Asia. He has served on the National Boards of Musica Viva and the Starlight Foundation and on the Committee of the Penrith Regional Gallery. He was appointed to the National Australia Day Council in 1996. Dr Yu was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and was named Australian of the Year in 1996. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2001.For further information, please contact:Melissa ChanArt Atriummelissa@artatrium.com.au or 0403 138 309