The Ecstasy of Gold
31 January - 16 March 2025
The Ecstasy of Gold
Michael Pope
Michael Pope, The Ecstasy of Gold (detail), 2024-2025, Watercolour, pencil and ink, Variable dimensions (each 13 x 30cm).
The Ecstasy of Gold explores two scenes from Sergio Leone’s iconic Italian spaghetti western, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly through a series of mixed media drawings based upon stills from the film. Michael Pope’s works examine the stylised gunfights, long shots and closeups that were typical of Leone’s style as well as the craggy, worn faces of the strong archetypal anti-heroes and villains that feature in the film. The drawings seek to recreate the tension of the iconic shootout scene as these violent and ruthless killers face off in the graveyard. Pope uses fluid style, watercolour, pencil and ink in a letterbox format to pay homage to the genre and celebrate the narrative and moral ambiguities of each character. The works faithfully recreate the scenes of greed and double-crossing with Tuco running manically through the expansive Civil War graveyard only to be surprised by Blondie and, in turn, Angel Eyes, before the drawn-out, final showdown.
Arranged to communicate narrative, Pope’s works reference graphic styles, comics, manga and cinematic storyboards. The Ecstasy of Gold explores the artist’s love of the complicated western genre, notions of good and evil, pop culture and cinephilia.
Exhibition launch
6pm Friday 31 January 2025
Speeches from approx. 6:30pm. The Ecstasy of Gold will open alongside Nephi Denham - Bonday Muggie and Asia Pacific Triennial Kids on Tour.
Please note: Umbrella is closed to the public from 5pm Tuesday 24 December 2024, reopening with these new exhibitions.
Michael Pope is a practicing artist, teacher and museum / gallery worker based in Gurambilbarra / Townsville. He has an interdisciplinary practice that often involves collaboration across a range of mediums including drawing, sculptural installation and ceramics. He holds a BA of Visual Arts and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern Queensland. Pope has worked in various roles in the museum and gallery sector including at Rockhampton Art Gallery, Museum of Brisbane, Jan Murphy Gallery, Pinnacles and Perc Tucker Regional Galleries and International Arts Services. He is the founder of Urban Sketchers Townsville, a free community drawing group and an artist member of Murky Waters Studio.
Also on display during this period
All Exhibitions
COVID Safe Visits
Umbrella asks that visitors adhere to social distancing, visitor logs, and other COVID Safe directives and procedures as directed.
Open Hours
Tues - Fri: 9am-5pm
Sat - Sun: 9am-1pm
Gallery closed Mondays, public holidays and during exhibition install weeks.
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Contact
408 Flinders Street,
Gurambilbarra (Townsville),
Qld, 4810 Australia
PO Box 2394,
Gurambilbarra (Townsville),
Qld, 4810 Australia
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Acknowledgement of Country
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region - Bindal, Gugu Badhan, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal - as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.
Umbrella is a Dealer Member of the Indigenous Art Code. This means we are committed to fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and transparency in the promotion and sale of artwork. As a Dealer Member and signatory to the Code we must act fairly, honestly, professionally and in good conscience in all direct or indirect dealings with artists.
Acknowledgements
Umbrella is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, and by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments. | Umbrella is supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund. | Townsville City Council is a funding partner of Umbrella's program.
