SAM’s Children Gallery has been transformed for the exhibition into a creative workshop space. There is a large, quilted backdrop and a selfie station has been set up where visitors can self-compose their own group portrait.
For the more creative and artistic members of the public, workstations will be set up and guests are encouraged to create their own portrait of their family and friends.
The artworks created will then join the portraits previously taken by the artists and thus grow the exhibition.
Both Ms Turnbull and Mr Coulter said they wanted to create a joyful space for people to celebrate families and encourage children to visit the exhibition and take photos of themselves and their family and friends while reflecting on those who were special in their lives.
They are also hoping that the exhibition will provide respite and help bring the Shepparton community together after the recent floods and lockdowns.
In January both artists will be in Shepparton, and SAM visitors will have the opportunity to pose for a professional group photo taken by the duo. The portraits will become part of the growing All Together project, and families will receive their own digital copy.
SAM curator Caroline Esbenshade has called All Together an exhibition and a creative space ideal for families to explore and reflect in.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the expressions of family our community has captured — be it in the photographs taken by the artists, the artworks made by kids in the space, or the pictures taken by visitors and shared on Instagram,” Ms Esbenshade said.
Both Ms Turnbull and Mr Coulter are highly accomplished artists, with work on display around Australia. They have 40 years of combined experience making and exhibiting art.
All Together is the latest stage in an evolving project from Ms Turnbull and Mr Coulter.