VAULT EXTRA 25th MARCH 2021
DAVID GOLDBLATT: REVIEW
David Goldblatt’s humanistic approach to photographing his subjects underpins his renowned style and scope of imagery. Strange Instrument now showing at Pace, New York, in collaboration with Yancey Richardson Gallery is curated by fellow-artist Zanele Muholi, and presents Goldblatt’s powerful images in a sensitive thematically curated exhibition that grapples with issues of gender, labour and race. The artist’s legacy persists through his works, find out more about the artist as Pippa Milne unpacks his practice and exhibition history.
Click here for the full article published in VAULT Magazine Issue 24 (Nov 2018 – Jan 2019).
Image credit: David Goldblatt, Fifteen-year old Lawrence Matjee after his assault and detention by the Security Police, Khotso House, de Villiers Street, 1985, silver gelatin photographs on fibre-based paper. Courtesy the artist, Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg and Cape Town and Pace/MacGill, New York © the artist
TOM POLO: HIDDEN FIGURES
Engaging text, colour, a myriad of references and the power of the gestural, Tom Polo’s works speak of the artist’s experiences and observations, but also of the construction of the world around us – a world that is constructed both in action and in perception. Miriam Arcilla sat down with the artist during summertime in Sydney, sipping on cacao drinks as they discussed the multifaceted influences on the Polo’s work, and the notion of being the best version of yourself.
Click here for the full article published in VAULT Magazine Issue 22 (May – July 2018).
Image credit:Tom Polo, a new neck, 2018, acrylic and Flashe on canvas, 182 x 138 cm. Courtesy of the artist and STATION, Australia
PAPUNYA TULA: 50 YEARS OF ART AND INFLUENCE
Utopia Arts is hosting a significant exhibition that brings together Papunya Tula works, and conveys the scope and richness of the artists of Papunya Tula. Papunya Tula: 50 years 1971 – 2021 tells of the incredible individuals who came together in the early 1970s to paint at Papunya – a story that today shows how the artist’s catalysed a nation-wide initiative of establishing remote art centres around Australia. Of this history, Christopher Hodges, the curator of the exhibition and Director of Utopia Art’s Sydney notes, “Papunya Tula’s success led to the development of remote art centres around Australia; the opportunity for Indigenous men and women to make art springing from their own traditions; and it facilitated the emergence of Indigenous artists across Australia.”
The collection represents more than 80 artists, showcasing the breadth of Indigenous artists and art over the past 50 years. Papunya Tula: 50 years 1971 – 2021 includes works by George Tjungurrayi, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Makinti Napanangka, Mick Namarari and Clifford Possum, Uta Uta Tjangala and Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula; Yukultji Napangati and Mary Napangati. Overarchingly, this important exhibition tells of the enduring importance of practicing art on Country and within community, while also showing the influence of different artforms, generations and familial connections over time.
Image credit: Installation view, Papunya Tula: 50 years 1971 - 2021 at the S.H. Ervin, 2021. Courtesy of Utopia Art Sydney
ALPHA60 x PATRICIA PICCININI CREATE ART FOR LIFE
Alpha60 founders Georgie and Alex Cleary have collaborated with leading Australian artist, Patricia Piccinini to create a series of textile works based on the artist’s sculptural pieces. Created as a limited-edition collection of three different designs, each an edition of 100, the pieces sit right on the threshold between an artwork and a functional designer throw – how you frame the collection is up to the beholder.
Exploring the idea of ‘hugs’, the textiles are a metamorphosis of a selection of emotive sculptures by Piccinini. Carrying over from the sculptures to the textiles are the artist’s enduring explorations of nature and nurture. One might consider the textiles to fully embody these themes as the works themselves cocoon and nurture you, while also asking that you face the artist’s complex and compelling imagery.
A curated display of the textiles was recently installed in the modernist building at Heide Museum of Modern Art in a stunning union of texture, craftsmanship and concept. The textiles were set amongst recently restored furniture, original and purpose-built for the space that all together functioned as both a home and a gallery. The pieces and the space together heightened the duality of the textiles as both high art and also something to be lived with. Although the exhibition is now over, you can navigate the exhibition digitally as well as purchase the works on the Alpha60 website.
Explore the collection here.
Image credit: Installation view ‘Alpha60 Kiosk in Collaborations with Patricia Piccinini’, 2021, Heide Museum of Modern Art. Photo: Clytie Meredith
JESS JOHNSON AT IVAN ANTHONY
Jess Johnson’s iconic style is on full display at Ivan Anthony, Auckland. The artist’s practice engages symbolism, repetition and cobbled phrases from an array of sources such as science fiction, biblical texts and video games to create new worlds that expand once’s expectations of the one we share. The exhibition presents an array of works across mediums while maintaining the artist’s recognisable graphics and incredibly impactful aesthetics.
The artist’s allegiance to repetition conjures a sense of the infinite. This quality has underpinned her work across drawing, installation, VR technology and quilting. Included in the exhibition at Ivan Anthony are a series of quilts made in collaboration with the artist’s mother, Cynthia Johnson who has been working the medium for years–Jess grew up around her mother quilting. These vibrant works are somewhat of a centrepiece to the exhibition– the medium’s natural inclination towards repeating forms and colours amplify the experience of Jess’s illustrations– although the artist’s expanded practice in illustration never ceases to wow!
The exhibition continues at Ivan Anthony until April 6, 2021.
Published in VAULT Magazine Issue 33 (Mar – May 2021
Image credit: Installation view, Jess Johnson, PAIN CANOPY YEAST STEAK (reconstituted), 2021 at Ivan Anthony Gallery. Courtesy Ivan Anthony Gallery. Photo: Sam Harnett
VAULT x PHOTO 2021 ISSUE 33 LAUNCH WRAP UP
VAULT Magazine recently celebrated the launch of Issue 33 in an evening of inspiring conversation over delicious Four Pillars Gin cocktails set in the beautiful Alpha 60 Chapter House space. VAULT thanks artist Amos Gebhardt and curator Miriam Kelly for sharing such expansive insights into the process, symbolism and ideas emergent from Amos’ practice.
Click here to listen back on the discussion.
