Making Waves: Tidal Wave Opening Night

Long anticipated, Tidal Wave opened to a full house at our Russell Place gallery on Thursday 13 August.

The concept for the exhibition began when Gallery Director, Melanie Katsalidis, posed the question: what happens when you ask a painter to work directly onto a pearl?

Baroque pearls are an unlikely canvas. Their surfaces are curved and nacreous, designed to reflect light rather than hold pigment, and no two share exactly the same shape. Nine Australian artists were each sent a pair of pearls and enamel paint, and invited to find their own way of working with them.

What returned to the gallery were nine entirely individual responses: eight pairs of hand painted pearl earrings and, in the case of Troy Emery, an incredible pearl strewn sculptural work.

Opening night brought the artists, friends of the gallery and collectors together to see the works in person for the first time, with Coastal Gin & Tonics flowing throughout the evening courtesy of Never Never Distilling Co. and StrangeLove. Guests feasted on freshly shucked oysters from The Fishmonger’s Son, followed by pearlescent sweet treats presented in giant mother-of-pearl shell dishes, a playful nod to the exhibition itself.

Our heartfelt thanks to Emma Coulter, Troy Emery, Betra Fraval, Lucas Grogan, Pia Murphy, Joshua Searle, Miranda Skoczek, Heather B. Swann and Kate Tucker for embracing the experiment, and to everyone who joined us on a winter Thursday evening to celebrate its unveiling.

Tidal Wave is on view at Pieces of Eight Gallery, 28 Russell Place, Melbourne, until Saturday 29 August, 2026. We invite you to visit the exhibition in person or explore the complete collection online.

Photography by Michael Pham.

With thanks to Never Never Distilling Co. and StrangeLove for supporting the evening.