Japanese-Australian international artist Isabelle Kawai Vincent has made a celebrated return to Castlemaine’s lot19 arts space with a brand new exhibition of works.
The exhibition, Girls, Goddesses and Greatness – A celebration of everything feminine, was launched on February 8 and runs until this Sunday February 23, and showcases Isabelle’s latest artwork created during her visit to Tokyo.
Meet Kimiko the mischievous Japanese doll, alongside Greek-inspired goddesses as well as acknowledging the courage of every mother’s ordeal of childbirth portrayed in the ancient form of Kanji, Kodaimoji.
Vincent’s latest exhibition will will once again be accompanied by a one-off live painting performance of this unique and captivating artform this Saturday February 22 between 2pm and 4pm at lot19.
The performance will be accompanied by up-and-coming young musician, Oliver Vigor.
Vincent said audiences would be taken on an immersive journey from acknowledging the courage of motherhood, to the cheeky shenanigans of Kimiko and then get in touch with their inner goddesses, regardless of gender.
The grand finale will be a gigantic Sumi-e brush painting of a super-long snake to celebrate the year of the snake.
“Audience members will have front row seats to see the artwork come to life and then be invited to contribute to this piece by adding their own mark and experiencing the the wonders of Sumi-e ink painting,” Isabelle said.
“Oliver is a wonderfully talented young guitarist who also has a talent for the visual arts and this understanding has helped him to bring my work to life.”
The performance will take place between 2pm-4pm Saturday. Tickets are available at www.trybooking.com/1347219 or at the door.
Vincent is also using her time at lot19 to prepare to undertake a massive mural piece, which will feature during the upcoming 2025 Rochester Mural Festival (March 29-April 6).
“I’m excited to be one of eight artists selected to take part in this year’s event. I’m the new kid on the block and I can’t wait to be part of the experience. This year’s theme is ‘Life, love and music’. I’m planning something really different which has been inspired by my grandson so watch this space!”
Ink, fire and ash
During your visit to lot19 this weekend you can also catch a new exhibition in the smaller gallery annexe by lot19 resident artist Simon Dubbeld.
Dubbeld has used ash from a recent bushfire at Campbells Creek to painstakingly hand stencil a chronological list of the names of every major Australian bushfire, from European colonisation in the 1850s to the present day, on the walls of the gallery.
Dubbeld told the Express the work, You’ve been on my mind, was inspired by a friend who lost their home to bushfire.
“Interestingly and perhaps fittingly, I ran out of space to finish the word Grampians – the location of the latest bushfires, which of course continue to devastate the region,” he said.
lot19 can be found at 19 McShanag Road (just off Langslow Street) is open Sat and Sunday 11-4.
lot19 artist Simon Dubbeld’s latest work touches on the devastating impact of bushfires. 
Guitarist Oliver Vigor will bring Isabelle Kawai Vincent’s artwork to life.
