Myuran Sukumaran exhibition visitor count ticks over 20,000 at Campbelltown Arts Centre

Ben Quilty (left) and Michael Dagostino

MORE than 20,000 people have now walked through the doors at Campbelltown Arts Centre to see the world premiere of the paintings of executed Bali Nine drug smuggler Myuran Sukumaran.

The Another Day in Paradise exhibition features, among other works by Sukumaran, self-portraits which offer an insight into the mind and rollercoaster emotions of a man on death row.

The controversial and polarising exhibition will run until March 26. It is being co-curated by artist Ben Quilty.

Sukumaran, who was executed in 2015, painted the works during his imprisonment at Bali’s Kerobokan jail and final incarceration at Nusa Kambangan Island.

Campbelltown Arts Centre director Michael Dagostino said he was “blown away” to see the figure tick over to 20,000 on Monday.

“We’ve had people from Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland come here to see this exhibition,” he said.

“It really shows the power of art.

“Looking at the feedback we’ve received, it’s all been very positive. People have been incredibly moved by seeing his works.”

Mr Dagostino encouraged residents to come along and see the exhibition for themselves before it was too late.

“This is the exhibition of 2017 and I urge everyone to come and see it,” he said.

“Don’t just take my word for it. Go to our Facebook page and see all of that feedback for yourself.”

The exhibition is free.

Source: dailytelegraph.com.au, Tarik Elmerhebe, March 2, 2017

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