Gully Gang #10 – Final exhibition

In October, the group of painting friends know as the Gully Gang will hold its tenth and final exhibition at the Raglan Gallery in Cooma. David Marr, the well-known journalist and author, has succumbed to popular demand and will officially open the exhibition at 3pm on Saturday 12 October.

After a series of informal painting weekends years ago, the group decided that having to meet an annual deadline would encourage members to make time for painting during the year regardless of their other commitments, hopefully improving in the process. This motivation has resulted in nine very successful exhibitions.

The group was shocked and saddened in February by the death of David Morgan. Always a last-minute gangster, David had not completed works for this exhibition because he was preoccupied with extensive renovations. However, in the midst of all the building chaos he had effortlessly painted three doors in his quirky style. As a memorial tribute to David, one of these will be displayed at the gallery for the duration of the exhibition.

As well as the annual Coopes Challenge, for which each artist paints to a given theme, for this last year there is an additional challenge – a BIG painting. Such a forced change of practice can be quite intimidating and it will be fascinating to see how each artist deals with this format.

The Gully Gang openings are always entertaining – David Marr is an exceptional speaker, and all are welcome to hear him whilst enjoying a wine, finger food and of course the many diverse paintings on display.