Complicated relationships within a growing family provided an autobiographical starting point in the darkly theatrical art of Juli Haas (1952—2014), who was one of Gippsland’s most admired and loved artists.

Her paintings and prints were populated by a dense cast of imaginary characters, based on personal observations, crowded into shallow scenes of brilliant colour and angular forms.

Haas played with scale and depth within her works to create a dreamlike environment for her characters, who were engaged in narratives inspired by television, music and books, as well as her own family.

Haas’ interest in omens and superstitions also played out within her works, as well as an examination of the role of women in contemporary society.

Come Together: The Art of Juli Haas is the first retrospective exhibition of Haas’ work, reuniting over seventy essential pieces including By the Banks of her Own Lagoon, which won the prestigious Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1995.