The Adelaide Review April 2014 27
adelaidereview.com.au
VISUAL ARTS
THIS MONTH
Photo: Anthony Whelan
The Adelaide Review’s guide to APRIL’s highlight VISUAL ARTS events
The idea of engaging with the unfamiliar without being conned into thinking it is somehow immediately comprehensible (or familiar) lies at the heart of this seductive viewing experience. From the magic realism of Ah Xian’s stone studded busts, to the ominous tar-pit, soul sucking blackness of Ben Quilty’s maw of hell, the frozen shaft of dynamic energy that is Kulata Tjuta (many spears) and Brook Andrews’ haunting, lesioned summoning of the ancestors (AUSTRALIA 1 – V1) there is a compelling note of intent, a holding of the gaze, and often a sense of urgency in the telling. Is this the now of contemporary Australian lived experience? This humanity-rich and (almost creature and landscape free) and strangely timeless exhibition speaks eloquently to a contemporary audience about creative journeys beyond the reach of mindless media, crass consumerism and self interest politics. The stories embedded in Dark Heart speak of more important things.
»»2014 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Dark Heart Art Gallery of South Australia Continues until Sunday, May 11 artgallery.sa.gov.au
Testing Ground Flinders University Art Museum and City Gallery Continues until Sunday, May 4 flinders.edu.au/artmuseum Curated by Julie Gough and featuring 14 artists, Testing Ground aims to “destabilise populist expectations about culture, nature and place” through sculpted objects, installations, photographs and new media. Artists include Sue Kneebone, Christian Thompson, Siying Zhou and Darren Cook.
Matthew Johnson Resonance Hill Smith Gallery Continues until Thursday, April 24 hillsmithgallery.com.au Resonance continues the Melbourne-based artist Matthew Johnson’s fascination with the “emotional experience of the environment and how colour can activate our memories”.
ROYAL SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF ARTS INC.
Caring for Our Planet 23 March – 20 April 2014 This excellent selected exhibition depicts artist’s concerns with the environment & climate change, through their imagination, diversity & the beauty of nature. Peoples’ Choice Awards: Sun 13 April at 3.00pm
Danger Zone, oil by Peter Noble, Winner 2012
5th Solar Art Prize
Youthscape 2014 22 June – 13 July 2014 Open to all young artists 15 - 26 years Over $5,000 in Prizes over all mediums Entry forms www.rsasarts.com.au
Where: RSASA Gallery, Level 1, Institute Bldg, Cnr North Tce & Kintore Ave, Adelaide. Mon – Friday 10.30 – 4.00pm, Sat & Sun 1 – 4.00pm. Closed public holidays. For more information: Bev Bills, Director, RSASA Office: 8232 0450 or 0415 616 900.
Royal South Australian Society of Arts Inc. Level 1 Institute Building, Cnr North Terrace & Kintore Ave Adelaide, Ph/Fax: 8232 0450 www.rsasarts.com.au rsasarts@bigpond.net.au Mon- Fri 10.30-4.30pm Sat & Sun 1- 4pm Pub Hol. Closed.
Arthur Phillips A Living Retrospective David Sumner Gallery Opens Sunday, April 13 david-sumner-gallery.com A Living Retrospective is a premium selection of watercolour works painted by Arthur Phillips over five decades. The exhibition paintings were selected from around 2000 works in Phillips’ personal studio.
Longwater – Works from the Coorong Prospect Gallery Sunday, April 6 to Sunday, May 4 prospect.sa.gov.au Featuring artists’ experience of the Coorong through printmaking, ceramics and photography, Longwater highlights the work of Jeff Mincham, Sandra Starkey Simon and Michal Kluvanek and their take on this enchanting part of the state.