Visions of Utopia

Visions of Utopia: Collectively creating a Megacity of Dreams
Presented by Jordan Halsall and Arts Project Australia
Date: Saturday 12 April 2025, 1:00-3:00pm
Venue: Arts Project Australia gallery, Collingwood Yards, Level 1, Perry Street Building, Collingwood
FREE: Materials provided

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
This workshop invites participants to embark on a creative journey to design and draw components of a new imaginary city. Artists of all skill levels are welcome to explore the limitless possibilities of urban landscapes through their imagination and experience.
Using collage and drawing, we will look at how to bring imaginary cityscapes to life. Participants will create their own metropolitan drawings, integrating elements that resonate with their personal vision. For the finale, we will combine the sections to create a collectively constructed Megacity of Dreams.
Visions of Utopia takes place within the exhibition Metropolis, curated by Amelia Winata, at the Arts Project Australia Gallery.
The workshop is presented by exhibiting artist Jordan Halsall, with guest Arts Project Australia artists Samraing Chea and Samantha Ashdown.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Jordan Halsall is an artist based in Narrm/Melbourne who works in the realm of Sculpture and Painting. He co-directed the gallery Savage Garden and is a past board member of TCB Gallery. Halsall completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at VCA in 2018 and Honours at Monash University in 2019 before completing a Masters of Architecture in 2023.

ABOUT THE APA GUEST ARTISTS
Samraing Chea’s artwork, primarily created with graphite and coloured pencils, offers nuanced commentary on commerce, politics, and urban social environments. His work skilfully combines humour with social critique, using both historical and contemporary imagery to expose the ironies and idiosyncrasies of everyday life. This juxtaposition creates a vivid portrayal of modern complexities, often exploring the tensions inherent in urban landscapes and inviting viewers to reflect on the absurdities and intricacies of society. His work is held in private collections worldwide.
Samantha Ashdown is an emerging artist working in printmaking, collage, pastel and gouache. She explores a variety of subject matter including still life, landscapes, portraiture and urban scenes. Ashdown has been part of Arts Project Australia since 2000 and has exhibited nationally. She has work held in public collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, and in national private collections.

ACCESSIBILITY

Arts Project Australia gallery can be accessed via 30A Perry Street. This entrance is wheelchair accessible and offers direct access to the Courtyard, Perry Street Building upper ground and Johnston Street Building upper ground. Lift access is available to visit other buildings and levels.

Collingwood Yards offers a single accessible parking bay, located in the entryway via 35C Johnston Street vehicle entrance. Limited parking is available in the surrounding area.

Collingwood Yards is a 10 minute walk from Victoria Park station and a 5 minute walk from the Johnston Street stop on the 86 tram.

The Arts Project Australia gallery has accessible toilets in the Perry Street Building. They are located in the northern end of the building. On the upper ground level they are located off the northern side of the service corridor. On Level 1 and Level 2 they are located behind blue manual double doors.

More details are available at: https://collingwoodyards.org/plan-your-visit/accessibility

If you require any additional information or would like to get in touch please email us at: [email protected]

Image: Samraing Chea, After Escaping from Trash, Toys suddenly Donated in the Box and Taken to the New Easy Way Daycare Chain Reaction Room (detail), (2018)

Host or Publisher Arts Project Australia