The Work of Art - curated by Sabrina Baker and Anja Loughhead

Artbank Melbourne / 15 April – 21 May 2021

The Work of Art Curated by Sabrina Baker and Anja Loughhead

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Artbank is proud to support Anja Loughhead and Sabrina Baker in curating The Work of Art, as part of the Artbank Emerging Curators Program. Due to the more than difficult 2020, the exhibition has been two years in the making. However the difficulties COVID has presented to the art sector has only managed to make the issues of the exhibition more pertinent and timely.

It has been so long, in fact, that the exhibition has moved cities and changed title (it was originally called Pour me a cup of Ambition, a title I also loved). Loughhead and Baker wrote: The selected pieces from the Artbank collection and artist loans represent material, conceptual, physical and emotional exertion tied to creative production. The intentional relationship formed between these works will engage audiences in a dialogue where success, failure and aspirations associated with art practice are addressed in the context of traditional labour.

The whole process of this show has been one of compromise, failure and resilience. (In the end the loans mentioned also became too hard).

Kate Mitchell’s work “Being Punctual” (no. 13255) also would have been a good meta-picture for this show (had it not been promised to a lucky client). Nominally the work is an image of Mitchell swinging from the chandelier. Although a phrase associated with fancy free excess in this case the photo actually records an incredible feat of strength and endurance. To swing from the ceiling Mitchell needed all these invisible helpers from stunt experts to cinematographers.

This contradiction sums up the realities of artistic work. On one hand it wishes all its machinations, the cultural production, the labour were more visible and valued. But on the other hand the art world is content, indeed is reliant on, seeming to be all pure magic and fairytale poetry.

For Loughhead and Baker’s exhibition though there is an attempt to pull back the veil a little. All the artists chosen from the collection are mindful of the social and economic realities of art work as labour.

Thomas Picketty in his 2013 book Capital, highlights an increased rise of economic inequality, especially since the 1970s. One of the secondary claims of the book, which focuses on the concentration of wealth to a small number of people, is that there is also rising inequality of labour income. The artist is also affected by these precarious labour conditions.

Centrally located studio rentals costs have steadily increased, and properties within reach of most artists’ budgets are moving further away from the CBD; secondary employment opportunities like hospitality and labouring have been affected by COVID. Despite these conditions art is still being produced. This exhibition celebrates, not only failure, and failing better, but the endurance shown by artists to keep going on.

Dr Oliver Watts Senior Curator, Artbank

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Sabrina and Anja are failed artists and cynical curators. They semiregularly work together to share the workload in order to save some time, money and energy for their ongoing jobs, children and studies.

The Work of Art epitomises this relationship as the project has expanded and contracted alongside their personal and professional priorities since its conception in 2018.

Sabrina Baker is a sometimes curator, previously an artist, current pre-service art teacher and new parent. She previously produced a number of projects with artists in her roles at West Space and Canberra Contemporary Art Space and is now studying teaching with a view to join an effective union and find a work/life balance.

Sabrina has curated projects at Peacock Gallery, University of Melbourne, CCAS and ANCA. In 2020 she worked with LA based artist Camila Galaz on a number of pandemic projects; Unwelcome Visitant, funded by the City of Melbourne and The Future Doesn’t Know Later, funded by the Australia Council.

Anja Loughhead was an emerging curator and now, as Sabrina loves to point out, should perhaps be considered mid-career. Having no desire to accept this fact, Anja got herself a cooler haircut and frequently trawls the internet anxiously searching for professional development and funding opportunities for curators with little results.

Most recently Anja curated Joan Mitchell: Worlds of colour at the National Gallery of Australia, the first exhibition on the North American artist, Joan Mitchell in Australia. Prior to this she was a co-curator of Belonging: Stories of Australian Art also at the National Gallery of Australia. She has curated exhibitions independently through smaller organisations such as Power, Process, Structure at Tributary Projects, Habitual // Ritual, co-curated with Sabrina Baker at ANCA Gallery and Transmit Politic at the ANU School of Art & Design Gallery among others.

Glossary of terms The alphabetical list of words below relates specifically to the subject of the exhibition, with explanations.1 Please utilise this personal dictionary of terms while you navigate The Work of Art

art noun the making of objects, images, music, etc. that are beautiful or that express feelings: 1. Can that video really be considered art?

2. I enjoyed the exhibition, but I didn’t really understand the art. artist noun someone who paints, draws, or makes sculptures: 1. Julie Gough is one of my favourite artists. audience noun the group of people together in one place to view or listen to a play, film, exhibition, someone speaking, etc.: 1. Nadia Hernández communicates to audiences all over the world.

2. Oscar Capezio’s secret to painting is to get the audience on his side.

3. The audience was/were clearly delighted with Claudine Marzik’s work of art. collection noun a group of objects of one type that have been collected by one person or in one place: 1. a government art collection 2. a valuable collection of works by Australian artists

conservation noun the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important objects and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity: 1. Art conservation 2. We placed Janine McAullay Bott’s work on a plinth for conservation purposes. curator noun a person in charge of a gallery, museum, library, etc.

1. I could tell just by looking at them that they worked as curators. essay noun a short piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one done by curators as part of the work for an exhibition: 1. For ‘The Work of Art’ I want you to write an essay on the themes of the exhibition.

2. Renee Cosgrave thought my interpretation of an essay format was terrific. exhibition noun an event at which objects such as paintings are shown to the public, a situation in which someone shows a particular skill or quality to the public, or the act of showing these things: 1. The paintings will be on exhibition from the 15 of April.

2. There’s a new exhibition with some sculpture on at the gallery in Collingwood.

3. The artist’s performance in that video was an exhibition of skill and endurance.

Darcey B. Arnold A Witness, 2020 Synthetic polymer paint on canvas 110cm x 90cm

Pat Brassington Shadow Boxer, 2013 Digital pigment print Size (cm): 73.5w x 95.5h x 4d

Oscar Capezio Surprisingly different, 2019 Synthetic polymer paint on real estate sign Size (cm): 244w x 122h x 5d

Lorraine Connelly-Northey Narrbong (String Bag), 2007 Galvanised and rusted wire Size (cm): 37w x 90h x 46.5d

Lottie Consalvo I Put It Here So You Could Find It, 2018 Single channel High definition digital video Duration: 2:48 mins Renee Cosgrave They Reflect the World, 2017 Oil on linen Size (cm): 102w x 122h

Julie Gough Sentence (Ancestor), 2007 Found wooden chair, pyrographic text, soap Size (cm): 600w x 45h x 10d

Nadia Hernández Generoso Corazón Herido, 2019

Glossary of terms The alphabetical list of words below relates specifically to the subject of the exhibition, with explanations.1 Please utilise this personal dictionary of terms while you navigate The Work of Art

1

https://dictionary.cambridge.org accessed 19 March 2021

art gallery noun the making of objects, a room or building that images, is music, etc. that areworks beautiful used for showing of or that express feelings: art, sometimes so that they canCan be hired for money: 1. that video really be art? art gallery 1. considered a contemporary 2. I enjoyed the exhibition, installation but I didn’t really noun understand the art. an occasion when equipment, artist furniture, or a work of art is put noun into position or made ready to use: someone who paints, draws, or 1. makes Do yousculptures: have to pay extra for installation?

1. Julie Gough is one of my artists.a message 2. favourite You will receive confirming the correct installation requirements of audience Michael Lindeman’s painting. noun the group of people together in invoice one place to view or listen to a nounfilm, exhibition, someone play, speaking, etc.:provided or work a list of things done together with their cost, for 1.

Nadia Hernández payment at a later time: communicates to all over 1. audiences Invoices must be submitted the world. on completion of the work.

2. Oscar Capezio’s secret professional to painting is to get the adjective audience on his side. relating to work that needs 3.

The audience was/were special training or education: clearly delighted with Marzik’s work 1. Claudine Sabrina and Anja, you’re of art.curator’s, so can I ask both your professional opinion collection on writing an essay? noun 2. Both curators have been a group of objects of one type rewarded for their efforts. that have been collected by one person or in one place: 1. a government art collection 2. a valuable collection of works by Australian artists

conservation purchase noun verb the protection of plants and to buy something: animals, natural and 1. Except underareas, clearly defined interesting and important circumstances, the purchase objects and buildings, of a work of art should be especially from the damaging paid in full. effects of human activity: 2. She purchased her first 1. Art conservation work

by Lorraine Connolly2. We placed Janine McAullay Northey with the money.

Bott’s work on a plinth for conservation purposes. work noun curator an activity, such as a job, that a noun person uses physical or mental aeffort person in charge gallery, to do, usually of foramoney: museum, library, etc.has so much 1. Kiron Robinson 1. Iwork couldtotell do.just by looking them that they all day in a 2. at Is moving around worked curators. suitcaseas hard work James Nguyen? essay 3. What time does Maria Josette noun Orsto start/finish work? a4.short writing on of a the Paulpiece Woodofdoes most particular subject, especially work around the house. one done by curators as part 5. the What sort are of work forofanwork exhibition: you experienced in 1. For ‘TheBella WorkArnold? of Art’ I want Darcey you to write an essay on the 6. themes Lottie Consalvo’s work of the exhibition. involves a lot of travelling.

2. Renee Cosgrave thought my interpretation of an essay format was terrific. exhibition noun an event at which objects such as paintings are shown to the public, a situation in which someone shows a particular skill or quality to the public, or the act of showing these things: 1. The paintings will be on exhibition from the 15 of April.

2. There’s a new exhibition with some sculpture on at the gallery in Collingwood.

3. The artist’s performance in that video was an exhibition of skill and endurance.

Wool,definition cotton, linen, acrylic, High digital video ribbon, grommets Duration: 2:48 minsand rope Size (cm): 125w x 280h DarceyCosgrave B. Arnold Renee Michael Lindeman A Witness, 2020 They Reflect the World, 2017 Paintings, & Wall Synthetic polymer Oil on linenPrints Hangings, 2007 paint on canvas Size (cm): 102w x 122h Synthetic polymer 110cm x 90cm paint on canvas Size (cm): 173.5w x 266h Pat Brassington Julie Gough ClaudineBoxer, 2013 Marzik Shadow Sentence (Ancestor), 2007 Tracespigment 7, Tracesprint 9, 2010 Digital Found wooden chair, Enamel on73.5w Size (cm): 95.5h x 4d pyrographic text,xsoap composition board Size (cm): 600w x 45h x 10d Size (cm): 63.5w x 94h x 4.5d Oscar Capezio Nadia Hernández Janine McAullay Bott Surprisingly different, 2019 Generoso Corazón Rena’s String Bag, 2009 Synthetic polymer paint Herido, 2019 Queen palm fronds on realcotton, estate sign acrylic, Wool, linen, and string Size (cm): 244w x 122h x 5d ribbon, grommets and rope 31w xx55h x 48d Size (cm): 125w 280h LorraineLindeman Connelly-Northey Michael James Nguyen Narrbong (String&Bag), 2007 Paintings, Prints Wall Overhead Manual Galvanised and rusted wire Hangings, 2007 Pivot, 2014 Size (cm): polymer 37w x 90h x 46.5d Synthetic Two channel digital video paint on canvas Duration: mins Size (cm):6:36 173.5w x 266h Lottie Consalvo Claudine Marzik Josette Orsto IMaria Put It Here So You Traces 7, Traces 9, 2010 Miyinga, 2012 Could Find Enamel on It, 2018 Aquatint and board etching Single channel composition 53w digital x 135h xx4d High(cm): definition video Size 63.5w x 94h 4.5d Duration: 2:48 mins Renee Cosgrave Janine McAullay Bott KironReflect Robinson They World, 2017 Rena’s Stringthe Bag, 2009 Used Oil onHours/Wasted linen Queen palm fronds Hours, July string (Stawberry Size (cm): 102w Cream), x 122h and August (Plum), Size (cm): 31w x2011 55h x 48d Relief, silk cut Size (cm): 40w x 50.5h x 4d Julie Gough James Nguyen Paul Wood Sentence (Ancestor), 2007 Overhead Manual Domestic Slumpchair, I, 2005 Found wooden Pivot, 2014 Found ceramics, pyrographic text, soap Two channel digital video glaze(cm): and6:36 cast iron Size 600w x 45h x 10d Duration: mins Size (cm): 36.5w x 76.5h x 36d Nadia Josette Hernández Maria Orsto Generoso Corazón Miyinga, 2012 Herido, 2019 Aquatint and etching

Size (cm): 63.5w x 94h x 4.5d

DarceyMcAullay B. ArnoldBott Janine A Witness, 2020 Rena’s String Bag, 2009 Synthetic polymer Queen palm fronds paintstring on canvas and 110cm x 90cm Size (cm): 31w x 55h x 48d

Pat Brassington James Nguyen Shadow Boxer, 2013 Overhead Manual Digital pigment print Pivot, 2014 Size (cm): 73.5w x 95.5h Two channel digital videox 4d Duration: 6:36 mins

Oscar CapezioOrsto Maria Josette Surprisingly different, 2019 Miyinga, 2012 Synthetic polymer paint Aquatint and etching on real estate Size (cm): 53wsign x 135h x 4d Size (cm): 244w x 122h x 5d

Lorraine Connelly-Northey Kiron Robinson Narrbong (String Bag), 2007 Used Hours/Wasted Hours, Galvanised and Cream), rusted wire July (Stawberry Size (cm): 37w 2011 x 90h x 46.5d August (Plum), Relief, silk cut Size (cm): 40w x 50.5h x 4d Lottie Consalvo Paul Wood I Put It HereSlump So You Domestic I, 2005 Could Find It, 2018 Found ceramics, Single channel glaze and cast iron High(cm): definition digital video Size 36.5w x 76.5h x 36d Duration: 2:48 mins Renee Cosgrave They Reflect the World, 2017 Oil on linen Size (cm): 102w x 122h

Julie Gough Sentence (Ancestor), 2007 Found wooden chair, pyrographic text, soap Size (cm): 600w x 45h x 10d

Nadia Hernández Generoso Corazón Herido, 2019

Image: Artbank and Flys Alone Painting prepping for 'The Work of Art,' photo by Paul Adair

Darcey Bella Arnold Pat Brassington Oscar Capezio Lorraine Connelly-Northey Lottie Consalvo Renee Cosgrave Julie Gough Nadia Hernández Michael Lindeman Claudine Marzik Janine McAullay Bott James Nguyen Maria Josette Orsto Kiron Robinson Paul Wood