Antipodean Inquiry

An exhibition that brings together a diverse selection of contemporary artists from Australia and New Zealand, Antipodean Inquiry takes us outside the square, to explore new and uncharted territories of what is being produced in Australian and New Zealand art.

Curated by guest curator Owen Craven, Antipodean Inquiry is currently on show at Yavuz gallery in Singapore. Opened during Singapore Art Week, the exhibition is a refreshing showcase to reveal the changing concerns of Australian and New Zealand contemporary art to a global audience of art goers.

Whilst the two countries are famous globally for their impressive landscapes, and perhaps even more for iconic art works of the wilderness, Antipodean Inquiry takes up the challenge to broaden perceptions of New Zealand and Australian art. The result? Works that express disparate narratives of nations that are made up of complex urban, modern and multicultural societies.

Not defined by traditional notions of the local, a strong theme is artists who boldly re-examine their place and pre-existing notions of national identity. Joan Ross indulges in tongue in cheek humour with her new-media video works to challenge notions of Australia and its colonial history. Brook Andrew continues his action of twisting historical perception and visual immersion and recalls the debates about imperial conquest through photography. Adding to the complexity of Australian identity, Lindy Lee’s works on sheet metal reveal personal insights into multiculturalism.

Inspired by their collective and personal journeys experiences, the exhibition is balanced by a variety of media. Tamara Dean and Daniel Shipp’s photographic works explore and engage with the natural world. Danie Mellor reflects on the migration and similarities of plant species within tropical environs, and how people and culture also move and respond to environments.

Sculptor Penny Bryne presents Weapons of Mass Destruction, which is striking in subject matter yet the ceramic medium imbues it with a sense of poignancy and reflection.

Drawing us back to the two dimensional, Steve Lopes’ works on paper, and paintings by Lucas Grogan, Andre Hemer, Anna Kristensen and Euan Macleod provide diverse frames of reference to consider when understanding our antipodean place in the world.

The varied cross-section of artists proves an exciting glance at the bold and sophisticated narratives emerging from Australia and New Zealand. On until 5 March, Antipodean Inquiry is an engaging exhibition of artists proudly representing what’s been going on from our end of the world.

EXHBIITION
Antipodean Inquiry
Until 5 March 2016
www.yavuzgallery.com

Images courtesy the artists and Yavuz Gallery, Singapore.