2 September 2014

Shepparton Art Museum’s new exhibition Delinquent Angel: John Perceval’s Ceramic Angels was officially opened on Saturday 30 August by Arts Victoria Director, Andrew Abbott. Over 200 people viewed 38 angels created by Perceval, together for the first time.

‘It is without doubt a world-class exhibition and a great credit to the SAM team,’ senior acting curator and former Shepparton Art Gallery director Joe Pascoe said. ‘The whole presentation is outstanding, from the specially-made display furniture and carefully positioned labels, through to the documentation which is impressive and accessible. Some plinths are placed at children’s height to ensure that the whole family can enjoy viewing the many differently themed angels. It really is a must see event that people will talk about for years to come.

‘The exhibition has had an outstanding response in its first few days. Though it is not for us at SAM to praise ourselves – the quiet and deeply sincere appreciation of John Perceval’s daughter Celia, travelling all the way from England, blessing the project as worthy of her beloved and wonderful father.’

Following the official opening, the Friends of SAM presented the sell-out fundraising event, A Toast to the Angels: Gala Dinner and Wine Auction. The Victorian Wines Show provided winning wines from 2013 for guests to celebrate and toast to the angels, with Goulburn Valley wineries and vineyards donating lots that were auctioned off by Geoff Dobson. With the event selling out and approximately $14,000 raised, the

Friends of SAM president Barb Gray said:

‘The Friends of SAM committee are absolutely thrilled with the amount of money raised. We have received so much positive feedback from attendees about their experience, the wonderful food by Jill and Bernard Hayes, and the selection of table wines. We would like to thank the Victorian Wines Show and Goulburn Valley wineries for their very generous contribution. $14,000 was raised on the night. All of the money that the Friends of SAM raise is used to support SAM often to acquire new artworks to be enjoyed by all of the community.’

View the Angels
Delinquent Angel brings together 38 John Perceval’s inspiring angel sculptures produced during the 1950s and 1960s in admiration of their technical and conceptual sophistication, humour and beguiling charm. The exhibition at SAM is the largest collection of works from the series ever brought together in a single showing.

These angels have been brought together from across Australia, from major institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Australian War Memorial and Art Gallery of South Australia, to the many generous private lenders. SAM is fortunate enough to own three angels by Perceval, including the Delinquent Angel (1961) that you may have seen since it was acquired by the then Shepparton Art Gallery in 1976.

If you’re interested in learning more about John Perceval and his ceramic angel series, visit SAM on Tuesday 23 September when director and curator of the exhibition Kirsten Paisley will present a floor talk on the exhibition. This is a free event. Also coming up is Strings, High Tea and Perceval’s Angels on Saturday 4 October and Saturday 1 November, where you can enjoy live heavenly and ethereal sounds by GV Concert Orchestra and electric duo Wildebeest respectively, while viewing the exhibition. Click here for further information. SAM has also generated a blog for the exhibition, where a range of images and articles are being reproduced as a great resource to the show along with a newly added video interview with Celia Perceval. You can also follow regular updates on SAM’s Facebook page.

Delinquent Angel: John Perceval’s Ceramic Angels is now showing until Sunday 23 November 2014. Entry is free. SAM is open 7 days from 10am to 4pm (public holidays 1pm to 4pm).

Image: Celia Perceval travelled from England to attend the opening of her father’s exhibition on Saturday 30 August at SAM. She is pictured with ‘Winkie Angel’, who is based on her as a child.

MEDIA Amina Barolli, SAM Marketing Co-ordinator p (+61 3) 5832 9522 amina.barolli@shepparton.vic.gov.au m (+61) 400 578 609