Mikala Dwyer is the winner of the 2014 Melbourne Art Foundation Artist Commission
Artist Mikala Dwyer’s sculptural work The weight of shape, 2014, has been unveiled today as the greatly anticipated 2014 Artist Commission, by the Melbourne Art Foundation.
Created especially by Sydney-based artist Dwyer, it will be on display at the Melbourne Art Fair from Thursday 14 August until Sunday 17 August 2014, and then gifted to the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Anna Pappas, Chair of the Melbourne Art Foundation drew attention to the noteworthy recognition of the Commission for artists stating that “The Melbourne Art Foundation Artist Commission provides a significant opportunity to a living artist to realise a large-scale artwork for the Melbourne Art Fair. This initiative has major benefits for both artists and the broader public and we are delighted to unveil this work by Mikala Dwyer at the Melbourne Art Fair.”
The weight of shape is a delicate balance of ideas borrowing from science, architecture and mythology. The sculpture challenges the audience to navigate the interior of the mind, and physically negotiate and rearrange the distinct departments of thinking.
The carefully suspended objects created from a range of materials – acrylic, fibreglass, copper, ceramic, bronze, brass, stainless steel and rope – are representations of fragments from the productive zone of consciousness.
Dwyer’s practice over the last three decades has been notorious for challenging the limits of sculptural practice, incorporating installation, performance, video and photography. Seen as all-inclusive sculpture, Dwyer’s work requires the audience to participate and find their own meaning within the magic, memory, history and sexuality she evokes.
The Melbourne Art Foundation Artist Commission is awarded biannually, for an ambitious installation created by a prominent Australian artist. Previous artist commissions include Ian Burns (2012), Jon Campbell (2010), Peter Hennessey (2008), David Griggs (2008) and Michael Parekowhai (2006).
Dwyer’s Commission will officially open the 2014 Melbourne Art Fair tonight at the official Vernissage event. The Fair will be open to the public from Thursday 14 August until Sunday 17 August 2014.
Melbourne Art Fair
14 – 17 August 2014
Royal Exhibition Building
Image: Mikala Dwyer, The Weight of Shape, 2014, Acrylic, fibreglass, copper, ceramic, bronze, brass, stainless steel, steel and rope, Dimensions variable,
Courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery.
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