
-
Concert by Invitation
Retrospective of Alexandra ObarzanekConcert By Invitation presents a selection of paintings, works on paper and ceramics from a diverse legacy Alexandra Obarzanek left behind.
Alexandra Obarzanek was born in Bialystok Poland at the end of the war in 1945. She grew up in Communistic Poland until the age of 13 and immigrated with her mother to Melbourne in 1958. Coming from a persecuted minority, Alexandra was private, almost concealed about her identity. A shy person in public, she observed how people performed their personalities to others – hence the theatrical nature of much of her work.
Obarzanek often incorporated photographs in her paintings, most of those photographs were of her family members and close friends. After the loss of all her extended family in the war (except for her mother) and a tough childhood in Communistic Poland, family and friends here in Australia were a high priority in her life. After the six-day war in 1967 she immigrated to Israel and lived and worked on KibbutzGal-On until 1974 when she returned to Melbourne. She enrolled at RMIT, studying alongside Peter Boot and Peter Westwood, completing a BA in fine arts followed by a masters in painting.Obarzanek exhibited commercially in the eighties, however the male domination of the art industry at that time had a tremendous effect on her practice. Disappointed with the lack of support and appreciation had deepened her depression and later on led to the resentment of her painting practice.
Obarzanek’s engagement with ceramics began as a social and craft activity in the late 90’s and within a few short years replaced painting and became her dominant art form. Less dark and serious, her ceramics had a more decorative and playful style, adopting influences from more traditional craft and a tone of magic-realism optimism.Obarzanek was well regarded as a teacher - in figurative drawing in the 80’s and later in ceramics at U3A in the 2010’s. When her husband passed away in 2019, and then shortly after COVID hit closing down U3A, she stopped practicing altogether. In a state of grief and isolation, her depression returned and her studio was completely untouched for almost 2 years until she passed away last June.
-
LATEST NEWS
-
Make History with Deborah Kelly
Collage WorkshopDeborah Kelly is collaborating with ACMI on a 2 day workshop on Sat 12 – Sun 13 Nov 2022 for an exclusive workshop opportunity to e xplore the art of... -
Marta Figueiredo joins Finkelstein Gallery
We are honoured to announce representation of Portugese Marta Figueiredo (b. 1979) is a Portuguese architect & multidisciplinary artist based in NAARM/Melbourne. In 2016, she founded her design practice which... -
New Finkelstein Gallery artist
August 5, 2022We are honoured to announce a posthumous representation of Alexandra Obarzanek. Alexandra Obarzanek was born in Bialystok Poland at the end of the war in 1945. She grew up in... -
Dagmar Cyrulla in Top100 Australia's most collectable artists
A list of Australia's hottest collectable artists has recently been published. The list is compiled by an enthusiastic group of working artists, academics, commentators, gallerists and art collectors committed to... -
FIN at Sydney Contemporary
In Finkelstein Gallery’s exhibition for Sydney Contemporary 2022, bright pops of colour and bold compositions disrupt the white cube aesthetics while the distinctively feminist agenda disrupts the male-dominated art canon.... -
New Finkelstein artist
June 21, 2022We are pleased to announce representation of Rebecca Hazard. Rebecca is an Auckland based arist, whose practice currently explores ' Raw Meat' through the medium of oil paint. In painting... -
MELBOURNE ART FAIR - 'Mind Your Head' by COADY
17th Feb - 20th Feb 2022 March 20, 2022Australasia’s most progressive forum for contemporary art and ideas returns in 2022 to present new and iconic work from artists represented by 63 leading galleries. With a focus on solo... -
DEBORAH KELLY I CREATION I LISMORE REGIONAL GALLERY
Until 6 FEB, 2022 Lismore Gallery - CREATION -
DEBORAH KELLY I THE GODS OF TINY THINGS I ACMI
1 JUL - 14 NOV, 2021 -
Coady I Stanthorpe Art Prize
20 February - 18 April 2021Finkelstein Gallery artist, Coady, has been named as a finalist in the Stanthorpe Art prize, The prize is presented by the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery and the finalist's works will... -
NEW FINKELSTEIN GALLERY ARTIST...
Glennys BriggsWe are so pleased to announce representation of Glennys Briggs. Glennys Briggs is an Indigenous visual artist (Taungwurrung-Yorta Yorta, North Central Victoria) based on Gold Coast, Queensland. Her work reflects... -
NEW FINKELSTEIN GALLERY ARTIST....
Kate JustWe are so pleased to announce representation of Kate Just. Kate Just is an American born, Australian artist best known for her engaging and political use of knitting, sewing, installation,... -
NEW FINKELSTEIN GALLERY ARTIST
Dagmar CyrullaWe are delighted to announce our representation of Dagmar Cyrulla. Dagmar's painting and sculpture are included in our current Exhibition, Director's Choice. Melbourne-based artist Dagmar Cyrulla constructs contemporary narratives in...
-
-
FINKELSTEIN GALLERY
Basement 2
3 Victoria Street
Windsor, 3181
Victoria
P: +61 431 411 908
Gallery Hours
Our gallery is now open by appointment. Please click below.
For any enquiries please call 0431 411 908