Friday, October 3, 2014

Forgotten Memories - Dilka Bear show at Auguste Clown Gallery

Greetings my dear fellow darklings. I hope you are all well.

I've been very thankful to be in Melbourne over the past couple of weeks. 

On September 19, Auguste Clown Gallery unveiled 'Forgotten Memories', a collection of 18 dreamy, melancholic new works by the incomparable Italian surrealist painter, Dilka Bear

Photo courtesy of Auguste Clown Gallery on Facebook
The opening night of this show was fabulous. Dilka fans from far and wide gathered to gaze in awe at her "collection of abandoned memories." The beer flowed, favourites were selected, and red dots quickly appeared under almost all of the pieces within the first hour. 
'Night Guide' by Dilka Bear
'Su ana' by Dilka Bear
'Solstice' by Dilka Bear
'Gratitude' and 'Sylfe' by Dilka Bear - photo courtesy of
Auguste Clown Gallery on Facebook


However, the ultimate highlight of the evening was not one of the "wistful urchins" adorning the walls, nor the signed artist books, each one featuring an original illustration on the title page. It was in fact Dilka herself, who had flown in especially to be present for the show's opening night! 

Dilka signing books before the show - photo courtesy of
Auguste Clown Gallery on Facebook
Dilka was lovely, mingling with fans, chatting about her pieces and thanking everyone for coming down to see them. I got starstruck at the last moment and couldn't think of a single intelligent thing to say to her, so I decided not to take up another fan's time with her and hung back. What a fanbird. ;)

I took home a copy of the Dilka Bear book, a beautiful hardback collection of 75 of her paintings, with this little darling on the title page:

My copy of the Dilka Bear book and its title page
And this gorgeous print that I have had my eye on for some time. It is called 'Memories', and gallery owner Leigh was kind enough to ask Dilka to sign it for me before he framed it: 
'Memories' by Dilka Bear

As if all this wasn't exciting enough, Dilka then returned to the gallery for a four-hour live painting event on September 28, giving fans the chance to "watch her brush expertly weave a distorted fable of magic creatures and abandoned memories before [their] eyes."

Not knowing how big or how detailed a painting she could complete in four hours, Dilka finished a practice piece during the week, using a palette comprised of just four colours. Here it is on the left, as Dilka sets up to begin the Live Paint on the right:


Photo courtesy of Auguste Clown Gallery on Facebook 
Live Paint in progress - photo courtesy of
gallery owner Leigh on Facebook
The finished piece - Dilka Bear Live Paint
at Auguste Clown Gallery

I was only able to make it down to the gallery for the end of the process, but what a magical experience! I absolutely adore the finished piece - is there anything more beautiful than a Dilka version of Wednesday Addams?

The exhibition wraps up on October 12, so if you're in Melbourne between now and then, do yourself a favour and pop down to see these beauties for yourself.  

Thank you Dilka, thank you Leigh - this show has been incredible!

22 comments:

  1. Now that's an Artist Showing! I'm so pleased it was successful on so many levels! Yesa, that's how to do it!
    Love YOUR print! Truly emotional! Wow!
    And private time watching this amazing Artist work! This has set the bar! Fantastic!
    Thank you for sharing your spectCular memory! xoDebi

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    1. Thank you Debi, I'm so glad you enjoyed it - I wish you could have been here to see it in person! I'm so grateful to Dilka and Leigh for giving fans such a wonderful experience, and for my beautiful signed items. A spectacular memory is right! Hugs to you lovely lady ❤

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  2. This looks amazing, what a wonderful artist, I absolutely adore her Wednesday piece too.

    You're so lucky, and I did wonder why you hadn't been around much lately :) x

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    1. Aww thank you Yvonne, that's so sweet of you to wonder why I hadn't been around! I've been incredibly lucky to be in the presence of such an amazing artist and her stunning works. Hope you have a fabulous weekend, lovely lady! x

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  3. It's too bad I don't see many art shows like these in my city! Around here the art scene isn't very friendly, it's a lot of stuffy old guys who sneer at you when you walk into their gallery lol.

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    1. Oh no! Sorry to hear that Ms Ladyfair. I know what that's like - I've been into more than one gallery over here and been greeted with a similar attitude - it really puts you off wanting to go to any shows. I hope someone as lovely as Leigh opens a gallery in your area really soon :)

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  4. That title page illustration to her book is stunning! I feel rather privileged because I've had all the background, real-time scoop from you on the Dilka Bear experience. ;D ^_^

    I keep meaning to ask, did she chat to onlookers during the live paint?

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    1. He's gorgeous isn't he? A lovely surprise when I opened the book!

      I'm glad you enjoyed the running commentary ;D It would have been lovely to have you join me in person, so vibing arty goodness your way was the next best thing!

      For the time that I was there, the room was spellbound in an enchanted silence, but once she finished painting, she was mingling and chatting with everyone. :)

      If she comes back next year, let's go together! ❤

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    2. Yes! We'll go together next time! ❤

      I just read back my comment and what I had meant to say was that the cover of the book was stunning and that the drawing on the title page was the most adorable extra treat. (That's what happens when I'm holding a conversation with you on Facebook at the same time as leaving blog comments! Haha.) Did she do the drawing while you were there or was it a surprise that she'd done earlier?

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    3. Jeez! It just sunk in that you said, "A lovely surprise when I opened the book!"

      So I guess that answers that question. Emma needs a wine and a lie down, methinks! ;) :D

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    4. Haha! All good lovely, it is funny having chats with you in two places at once! :D

      Yes, he was my lovely little book surprise. I'd love to see what Dilka drew in the other books. I have a feeling they were all different, bless her. Hope you got to have a well-deserved wine last night! ❤

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  5. I'm always amazed by people who can draw because it's something that I'm clearly not very good at.

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  6. Oh that Wednesday Addams painting is beautiful!

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    1. I couldn't agree more, linnea-maria! It was even more beautiful in person - my photos really don't do all the gorgeous details justice :)

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  7. I suspect that I just died of jealousy and am now commenting on your blog from the beyond. What a wonderful opportunity! I love her work, and to have some of it being created (even if for just a bit) is magical.

    Love the Wednesday piece and the practice piece, too... there is something alluring about that red ribbon.

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    1. I do so love your way with words, Magaly! *waves at Magaly in the beyond* :D It was an incredible opportunity, most definitely magical, and one I shall never forget.

      I love the ribbon too - it's stunning against those Gothy tones.

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  8. Wow, what a great opportunity to be there with this amazing artist! How lucky you are! I am jealous!!!!

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    1. I was incredibly lucky, dear Stacy! I'm very grateful to Dilka and Leigh from Auguste Clown Gallery for giving us fans this amazing opportunity! :)

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  9. Your posts are making me want to never leave.
    I still have half of Magaly's party to visit!

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    1. Aww, thank you so much DogsMom, what a lovely compliment! It's very sweet of you to stop by and check them out, especially in the middle of such a brilliant blog hop as Magaly's! It's been great meeting you through this fab event :)

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