​​London Artist Morag Myerscough’s Bright, Colourful World Arrives at Sunnyside

Under the barrelled roof of Ballarat’s historic Mining Exchange, a new interactive art experience has opened for the first time. Sunnyside is an annual event from creative studio The Social Crew, the team behind blockbuster exhibition Time by Rone at Flinders Street Station.

 The project was born from a desire to spark wonder, according to The Social Crew founder Belinda Collins. “Sunnyside was created because there aren’t enough surprises in the world,” she says. “It’s nice to have happy turns, something that encourages imagination and curiosity.”

Headlining the inaugural exhibition is celebrated London-based artist Morag Myerscough with her three-week-only installation Chasing Sunbeams. Having shown at Coachella, the Paris Olympics and Glastonbury, Myerscough’s Ballarat work marks her first large-scale installation in Australia.

You’ll step into a kaleidoscopic world of colour and light. Neon geometric patterns spill across concrete floors, towering floral forms rise from within, red mushrooms stand tall. The bold installation was developed through a series of interactive workshops held in Ballarat earlier this year, drawing on participants’ interpretations of native flowers.

“The workshops are a crucial part of my process,” Myerscough says. “The big red flowers, the cacti, the sunflowers, the wattles, they all come from drawings made in the workshops. I’ve simply brought them to life as 3D sculptures.”

A simple concept perhaps, but not simple to put together. Each work evolves through a process of sketching, digital and physical modelling, and structural refinement before finally taking shape with the help of engineers, fabricators and builders.

Conscious construction was also a key focus. “I wanted this to be very sustainable, so a lot of it is made from cardboard and papier-mâché – materials that can be recycled,” Myerscough says.

“There aren’t a lot of people that will let you do big crazy things in a heritage building,” Collins says. “But the Ballarat community were really supportive of those sorts of ideas.”

Looping through the main installation is an immersive soundscape by local composer Raul Sanchez i Jorge, featuring field recordings from Ballarat’s natural surroundings and voices gathered during community workshops.

There’s also Karndorr (Tracks), a community-driven textile installation by Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker in collaboration with Myerscough. Plus, get involved in a series of talks (including a free session with Mysercough) and workshops run by local artists. Highlights include a granny square-making class with artist Granny Square Lady, a vintage vending machine selling $2 zines by artists Siobhan Finn and Tegan Crosbie and a neon block printing workshop with Pittywitty.

Sunnyside is open until November 23, 2025, at the Mining Exchange in Ballarat.

sunnysideart.com.au