30.07.22 - 23.10.22

The Big (little) Lounge was a playful, comfortable, and open-ended creative space to parallel The Big Picture, a survey exhibition of work by Gippsland artist Bill Young (1941 - 2021) who was greatly celebrated across the community and beyond. The exhibition takes the title of Young’s work The Big Picture which was created in 1991 as part of a residency at Latrobe Regional Gallery (then the Latrobe Valley Arts Centre). The work is mural-like, spanning 20 metres and featuring dancing figures filled with varied motifs and textures of industry and landscape – like that of the Latrobe Valley.

The Big (little) Lounge took inspiration not only from the use of texture and colour in Young’s work but also his process. With the sheer scale of The Big Picture, Young had the thick roll of paper rolled out on the ground in the gallery space, and painting from above, he experimented with shapes and surface textures layered and repeated across the work. To reflect this, different surfaces and textures were added to the floors and walls of The Big (little) Lounge, inviting younger gallery visitors to experiment with frottage and making images in unexpected ways as they explored the creative potential of their surroundings. This encouraged children to consider how everyday environments, whether at home, or in the community, can serve as places of creativity and participation.

By incorporating soft furnishings and comforting textures, The Big (little) Lounge was designed as a welcoming space where families could relax and connect, extending aspects of The Big Picture exhibition into an immersive setting scaled for children and blurring the boundaries between art, play and everyday places.

Designed and curated by Gabriella Duffy and Rebecca Dauti.

Senior install technician: Nic Aplin