Past | Hugs by Meg Kolac

1st - 13th March 2022

Back in 2019, pre-pandemic, Meg created an artwork for a group exhibition at No Vacancy Gallery. The theme for the show was My Two Cents where artists were asked to create an artwork exploring something that they would feel nostalgic about should it no longer exist in the future. My response was a hug. Imagine if human contact no longer existed. At the time, the intention was that digital contact might take its place. Not that a pandemic would take it away from us!

This was the seed that planted the inspiration for my collection of hugs.

Originally planned to exhibit back at No Vacancy in October 2020 (then June 2021, then August), Meg created a collection of artworks in lockdown (the first) embracing the nostalgia of holding your loved ones close. However, the pandemic kept going. So they were launched them online. There were twelve pieces printed locally and each was customisable and made to order to become your loved ones.

Now, finally, after three reschedules, Hugs is here in real life!

Kolac has created a whole new series of artworks and is bringing them to life through a range of styles. From bold, punchy paintings and prints, elegant and lively brush strokes, to playful and cute-as-a-button children’s illustrations.

Each piece reveals the contrast between the desperate hope of being able to hug someone, against the melancholy of that day feeling further and further away.

And that no matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone deserves a hug.