THE BELLY RULES THE MIND

NG ART COOKS UP A PROVERBIAL FEAST FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL

Chippendale gallery NG Art is to celebrate the SMH International Food Festival in October with a unique exhibition focusing on those pithy little nuggets of wisdom - proverbs. The Belly Rules the Mind from 5 to 23 October, has invited some of Sydney’s most creative talents to depict a number of artworks, using the proverb as inspiration.

Artists such as Archibald finalist Nicholas Stathopoulos, political cartoonist and artist Eric Lobbecke, recipient of the Residency Cite International des arts Paris, Craig Waddell, winner of the Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Laurie Mossuto, to name but a few will create a number of works each, based on their impression of how well known foodie verses, both modern and ancient, have impacted on the customs and traditions of different societies. And they certainly have a surfeit of choice, including: A smiling face is half the meal (Latvian); Eat little, sleep sound (Iranian); and Don’t dig your grave with your knife and fork (English).

Formally described as is a short sentence, usually known by many people, stating something commonly experienced or giving advice, the humble proverb can be attributed to some of history’s greatest minds. The self-educated American inventor Benjamin Franklin, for example, is author of To err is human, to repent divine and No gains without pains; whilst Greek philosopher Aristotle is responsible for first trying to classify proverbs, stating that ‘Proverbs are . . . elements of old philosophy which survived thanks to their brevity and dexterity.’

There is a natural affiliation between the proverb and food. Proverbs, like gastronomy, transcend cultural boundaries. They can be comforting and helpful, as the case with the Jewish proverb Worries go down better with soup; or even informative and educational – as in the Polish proverb that insists that Fish, to taste right, must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine.
NG Art Curator Nicky Ginsberg said today: ‘Francis Bacon said the genius, wit, and spirit of a nation are discovered in its proverbs. This exhibition will tap into that proverbial genius in relation to global gastronomy. I can’t wait to see what our artists will dish up!’

Artists such as Jan Steen and Pieter Brueghel the Elder have long used proverbs in their work. Brueghel’s Netherlandish Proverbs (1559) is one of the more famous examples, containing depictions of over 100 proverbs, whilst Steen’s chaotic domestic scenes fashioned their very own Dutch proverb: A Jan Steen Household.
For those who can’t get enough of these catchy witticisms, a special Feast of the Senses dinner will take place during the exhibition, where people can enjoy a delicious meal created by Mission Restaurant Bar plus take part in a Q&A with the artists and local personalities.

The Belly Rules the Mind opens on Tuesday 5 October and runs for three weeks. Bookings for Mission Restaurant Bar and the Feast of the Senses dinners are recommended.

For further information, please email ng@ngart.com.au

Scroll right to view a selection of images from The Belly Rules The Mind.

View the exhibition invitation here

EXHIBITING ARTISTS INCLUDE

Vicki White
Gorgi Dimcevski
Craig Waddell (Gallery 9)
Murray Bird (Dickerson Gallery)
Zai Kuang (Eva Breuer Art Dealer)
Rudy Kistler (Charles Hewitt Gallery)
Nick Stathopoulos (NG Art Gallery)
Anita Tesoriero (NG Art Gallery)
Eric Lobbecke (NG Art Gallery)
Lydia Miller (NG Art Gallery)
Laurie Mossuto
Nick Collerson
Sue Jarvis