Justene Williams

Since 2001 Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest has been committed to supporting and exhibiting the work of Western Sydney based and/or focused contemporary artists of excellence. This ongoing commitment has included a range of exhibition (national and international) and residency projects aiming to engage contemporary artists of excellence in the development of new bodies of work, and the development of new audiences for contemporary art.

A key element of this program has been to support the development of Western Sydney based artist Justene Williams via a number of exhibition and residency projects including Walter & Williams residency and exhibition project (2002), Boofheads & Scrubbers Revenge (2003) and Berlin Burghers Microwave Monet (2010).

In 2009 the Gallery was generously gifted two wonderful sets of work by Williams – the Super Concentrated Dream Fever Series (2002) and Strippers (1998). Both sets of work wonderfully illustrate and underscore William’s reputation as an Australian artist of excellence, and exemplify the Gallery’s commitment to Australian contemporary art practice.

The Super Concentrated Dream Fever Series was originally commissioned by the Gallery in 2002 for the exhibition project Walter and Williams (exhibiting the work of Justene Williams and Regina Walter). The project involved research into the Collection and history of the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, and the work of Margo and Gerald Lewers. Super Concentrated Dream Fever Series was specific to the work, aesthetic, philosophy and legacy of Margo Lewers (in particular her Plexiglas works of the early 1970s), and is a contemporary refection on the work of Margo Lewers.

Influenced by DADA performance, choreography and photography, Strippers was developed by William’s while she was ‘moonlighting’ as a receptionist at a Western Sydney pole dancing club. Like the artist herself, performers captured in abstracted movement were ex-dancers working to pay their way through university. Thus this heroic celebration of feminine form, vernacular performance, class and economic position is focused on Western Sydney.

Justene Williams - born, educated and based in Western Sydney - is a contemporary artist whose practice encompasses contemporary video, photography, performance and Installation. Having developed an excellent national and international exhibition practice over the last decade or more the work (and career) of Justene Williams is of great inspirational value for emerging Western Sydney based artists (particularly women). Put simply Justene Williams is one of ‘ours’ – and is to be celebrated. The Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest is honoured to boast Justene Williams’ work in our Collection.