Founded in 2010 by artists Sam Leach and Tony Lloyd – and joined by writer Ashley Crawford as part of the curatorial team, this year NotFair, (excluding the year that was 2020) celebrates a decennial of dedication to providing an individual platform for independent artists, either unknown or under-represented.
NotFair 2021, a self-described ‘stubborn celebration of creativity, imagination and skill presented in an unorthodox setting’, showcases over 200 new and recent works by 32 notable creatives, who ‘have grown understandably obsessed with the issues of pandemic, climate change and the very fate of Planet Earth,’ says Leach. From Jason Waterhouse’s Automotive Geologies (VW Golf), a 1980 make of the vehicle that occupies an uncanny space between the past and the present, the natural and the manufactured; its metal panels oxidised, ‘shifting back into the geologies from which it came,’ muses the artist; to Laetitia Olivier-Gargano’s series of ‘hyper-surrealistic’ resin cast sculptures of food with objects and domestic items, titled ‘SPLAT PACKS’. Beginning with the ‘2020 Meal set’ as a way to metaphorically serve up the year that was, Olivier-Gargano’s sculptures are a playful depiction of her thoughts, memories and experiences.

Laetitia Olivier-Gargano, Sometimes when I feel hungry I eat a second breakfast, 2020, cast resin, dimensions variable. Courtesy the artist
All works are finalists in the $5,000 non-acquisitive Anne Runhardt Art Award, which uncovers and enables outstanding talent – experimental and thought-provoking – deserving of a public profile; and the $5,000 non-acquisitive Arkley Award, which focuses on talent in painting and photography. In addition, The Lennox Award, founded to enable an emerging artist to exhibit and connect at the historical venue, The Lennox in Richmond, Melbourne. The Lennox Award 2021 will be judged by Helen Bogdan and Ashley Crawford.
Each year a new venue is chosen, often a vacant or abandoned space. In 2021, the event will be held at the former community hall and place of worship Kardinia Church in Windsor, Melbourne, from 20 to 30 May, with a free Opening & Awards Presentation Party on Thursday 20 May from 6-9pm. All are welcome; bookings essential.
Artists include Hayley Arjona, Simon Attwooll, Christian Bishop, Jeremy Blincoe, James Bonnici, Joshua Bonson, Nic Burridge, Michael Carney, Angela Casey, Ash Coates, Amber Cronin, Farnaz Dadfar, Moya Delany, Liss Fenwick, Amelda Read Forsythe, Alicia King, Eloise Kirk, Shea Kirk, Nic Macalari, Amina McConvell, Yuria Okamura, Laetitia Olivier-Gargano, Jack Rowland, Erik Sherman, Liz Sonntag aka Tinky, Ben Taranto, Terry Taylor, Julie Vinci, Jason Waterhouse, Katie West, Jennifer Whitten, and Chee Yo.