The Art of Wrestling

Published on 16 November 2022

The Art of Wrestling

You could be forgiven for thinking that art and pro wrestling are at two vastly different ends of the entertainment spectrum, but nothing could be further from the truth as Rockhampton Museum of Art’s summer exhibition WrestleMANIA will show.

Professional wrestling is a strange beast. As part sport, part theatre, it exists in a grey area between forms as a sincere, misunderstood, and yet incredibly self-aware art form.

WrestleMANIA brings together 20 local, national and international sculptors, painters, cartoonists and new media artists responding, in their own way, to the theme of wrestling in all its spectacle, psychology and humour.

Most of the pieces in the exhibition are new works, created especially for WrestleMANIA.

Not only does WrestleMANIA bring together artists but, on launch night, exhibition-goers will be treated to live wrestling matches in Centre Ring, Gallery 1, featuring members of Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton.

“When the Rockhampton Museum of Art opened we said that that there would be something for everyone, and I think this perfectly illustrates that point,” Rockhampton Region Councillor Drew Wickerson said.

“WrestleMANIA appeals to young and old, and I am sure it will attract people of all walks of life,” he said.

“With the big centre ring in pride of place in Gallery 1, it also shows the scale of events that can be held at the museum,” he said.

WrestleMANIA features the works of Tony Albert, ChiliPhilly, Leah Emery, Erica Gray, Julia Higgs, Drew Connor Holland, Patricia Hoffie, Peter Hudson, Freya Jobbins, Locust Jones, Ed Luce, Euan Macleod, Paul Mumme, Philjames, Ben Quilty, Bruce Reynolds, Jack Rodgers, Monica Rohan, Lale Westvind, and Manda Wolf.

WrestleMANIA will be launched at Rockhampton Museum of Art on Friday 18 November at 6pm. Tickets to the event are available from
www.rmoa.com.au/Whats-On/Exhibition-Launch-Wrestlemania at $20 for members and $25 for non-members. The ticket price includes live performances from Wrestling Allegiance Rockhampton.

WrestleMANIA will be on display at Rockhampton Museum of Art, Quay Street, Rockhampton, from 19 November to 26 February 2023. Admission is free.

Rockhampton Museum of Art is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.

PICTURED: Wrestler Cherry Bombshell with Curator of WrestleMANIA exhibition, Jonathan McBurnie.