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!