A wall of ‘prized catch’ photographs at a local fishmonger inspired Brisbane artist Jack Rodgers to create a nostalgic collection of paintings and small sculptures that celebrate fishing culture, fish markets and the stories they hold.
The exhibition, FISHO, opens at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, on 6 September.
A second exhibition, which explores visual interpretations of the written word, will open at Redland Art Gallery, The Mezz at Redland Performing Arts Centre, on 24 August.
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Redland City Acting Mayor Julie Talty said both exhibitions would allow visitors to engage with familiar items and experiences through new creative perspectives.
“Redland Art Gallery delivers an exhibition program that allows the community to experience high-quality artworks by a broad range of exciting artists,” Cr Talty said.
“FISHO is sure to resonate with many people in our community, with the waters of Redlands Coast offering plenty of opportunities to throw out a line from a boat or close to shore.
“The works in the exhibition not only explore fishing culture – from catching, selling and eating fish, to fishing gear and tackle – but also the history of Brisbane’s fishmongers, including the State Fish Market at South Brisbane.”
Cr Talty said the second exhibition, Visualising the Written Word, featured works by artists from Redland Yurara Art Society.
“Our city is home to a thriving artistic and creative community so it is always wonderful when the gallery hosts an exhibition of works by local artists,” she said.
“Redland Yurara Art Society has been operating for more than 60 years and its members include a mix of beginner and professional artists.
“In their latest exhibition, the artists share their visual and creative responses to a range of written works.”
EXHIBITION DETAILS
Visualising the Written Word by Redland Yurara Art Society Inc
Redland Art Gallery, The Mezz at RPAC from Monday 24 August to Friday 6 November 2026.
In this exhibition, artists explore the interaction between visual and written mediums, offering fresh, creative responses to a variety of written forms including poetry, song lyrics, personal correspondence and prose.
Each work offers a glimpse into the psyche of the artist – exploring both their selected written piece and their artistic response, from the deeply personal to the abstract.
Official opening: Thursday 27 August at 2pm. Bookings are essential.
FISHO by Jack Rodgers
Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland from Sunday 6 September to Tuesday 17 November 2026.
FISHO celebrates fishing not just as a pastime but as a shared cultural experience that fosters community.
Artist Jack Rodgers said FISHO was about nostalgia and connection to place.
“I think most audiences will recognise themselves in the work in one way or another,” he said.
“It can be very literal, like a time they caught a fish, or more broadly about their connection to the water and nature.
“Our local fisho has a wall of fame with photos of locals posing with their prize catches on it and when I saw that I knew there was the bones of a show right there.
“I see FISHO as being about my relationship with place. For me, the ‘place’ in this instance is the fisho, or fishmonger, where I go with my kids; for others it might be their favourite fishing spot that my paintings evoke.”
Official opening: Sunday 6 September at 10am; Artist talk: Sunday 11 October at 10am. Bookings are essential.
- More information on both exhibitions, including how to register for the opening events and the artist talk, is available on the Redland Art Gallery website.
