ROBBIE ROWLANDS

Site Intervention

Pre-partial demolition

Broadmeadows Town Hall

January 2018 – October 2019

Initially built in the 1950s, Broadmeadows Town Hall featured an extensive supper room and performance hall that was a central community centre for events ranging from citizenship ceremonies, formals and political rallies.

This investigation was part of a public art sculptural commission situated within a major redevelopment of this site. Through this investigation I had the freedom to explore the site in its transition prior to complete closure and partial destruction.

Working through the concept stage of this commission, the research here explored the site through film, sound and performance. These developmental studies fed into the realisation of a major intervention work in the supper room space and followed through with the development of the final permanent sculptural work that now permanently suspends in the newly restored front foyer of the hall.

Project credits

Commissioned by KTA Architects and City of Hume

Special thanks to assistants Sara Retallick, Jason White, Yianni Rowlands, Salah Murad, Kelly Greer, Gayle Humphrey, Yelena Ashlapova

Project management RMIT CAST

Pre-demolition house

Room cut through to the hall

Melbourne, Australia, 2018

Part of a group show titled ‘Separation’ that brought together 6 artists to celebrate the final moments of a 1905 house in the inner suburbs of Melbourne.

Home to five generations of families the house featured pressed tin walls and ceilings.

Thanks to the family of Sepo house and collaborative artists Hannah Bertram, Brodie Butler-Robey, Michael O’Dwyer, Ben Wilhelms & Anon.

Two Pianos, Rio Vista Historic House, Drawing room Mildura Arts Centre, 2013

Wright Farm, Charlton, 2014

'In-between' was an exhibition outcome of a one month artist residency series undertaken in the country town of Charlton Victoria in September 2014. The exhibition captures the essence of two sites united by one river through sculpture, photography and sound. Through a series of artist talks and the creation of site-specific artworks Rowlands introduced his practice to a broad section of the community. This engagement opened up new ways of considering contemporary art within the context of the rural landscape and country communities.

The project was co supported by Regional Arts Victoria and Charlton Arts Inc.

Thanks to Andy and Paula Wright, Charlton Men's Shed, Nola Wright, Carolyn Olive & Family, collaborative project participants, the Charlton community, Kim Bennett and Regional arts Victoria .

In-between exhibition

Commissioned by Regional Arts Victoria and Charlton Arts

Tread lightly for this ground may be hollow was the final exhibition outcome for a residency at Popps Packing ARI in Detroit USA. The title considers the fragility of this environment, possible dangers of unstable surfaces (hidden basements) but also considers the history of loss in this landscape both pre and post colonial. 

Supported by Australia Council for the Arts & Popps Packing ARI

Sculptural site intervention in an abandon shed North of Melbourne.

Gallery floor and wall, window reveal

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 2015

Created as part of a group show titled 'Substrate' curated by Mardee Goff this work utilised the floor prior to renovation. Through the intervention the cut through the wall revealed a covered window allowing natural light to penetrate the gallery space. On twilight the cut would glow with a brilliant blue as the natural light was set against the tungsten interior lights. If this light can hold highlights this moment but also considers the animated state of the cut floor guesture. 

Re-purposed Steel Pipe

Substation Gallery Newport, 2014

Commissioned by Substation Gallery for Merchant City curated by Will Foster

Pre demolition house

St Kilda, 2012

Fallow Exhibition with Carmen Reid and Tunni Kraus.

Commissioned by The Justin Art Foundation.

Grendas Bus Depot

1950’s House/Upholstery Workshop

Commissioned by The City of Greater Dandenong

2008

Merricks Beach House

2007

Intervention into a pre-demolition beach house at Merricks beach Victoria Australia

Flinders Street Train Station - Abandoned Gymnasium

Contemporary Site Investigation, 2012

Commissioned by the City of Melbourne.

Created as part of a group site-responsive intervention. This work utilised stored office materials within the abandoned gymnasium. This group were the first to gain access to the site and have permission to explore the history and potential of the site. The gymnasium historically, pre world war II was a renowned wrestling centre. As part of the project a serendipitous linking up with one of the original members of the gym, Harry, created an important and emotional linkage to this history. 

CSI artists included Robbie Rowlands, Cameron Robbins, James Carey, Campbell Drake, Elizabeth Drake and Jeremy Taylor. Produced by Philippa Abbott and Campbell Drake.

Bell Primary School, Melbourne

2010

With the completion of the new federally funded learning centre Bell Primary Schools ‘portables’ known as the Bristol Building, were demolished. These classrooms had seen generations of children nurtured through their primary years.  The exhibition, “Will you miss me when I’m gone?” paid homage to the history and memory of this site allowing past and present students, families and the broader community to experience the building in this important period of transition.

The exhibition comprised of site responsive installations by artists Cameron Robbins, Robbie Rowlands, James Carey, Moira Corby, Tanja Milbourne, Rebecca Mayo, and a pasteup collaborative project developed by Anne Atchenson, Ashlea O'Brian with students and guest artists Jason Wade and Karen Lokerse. 

Web site Link HERE