Never the Same

Ursula Sullivan+Joanna Strumpf

We’re back. Back in the gallery, back to installing shows and back with a second issue of our new magazine!

But the world is definitely not back to where it was. It most likely will never be again. Which poses the question of how to pick up the pieces and work towards making the future “better”.

As a gallery, there has never been a time where we have been more grateful to be involved in the arts, for the opportunity that this affords to engage with a diversity of voices, across a multitude of topics.

In this issue we are proud to feature conversations with three artists whose work questions and challenges the status quo, supporting the call for essential change, to preserve the richness of our humanity.

Grant Stevens talks about the inspiration for his new exhibition, The Forest, a timely reflection on our relationship with nature in this age of instant gratification, perpetual fatigue, imminent environmental catastrophe, political inertia, self-care and social anxiety. Opening at S+S Sydney, 25 June.

An extract from Sally Brand’s powerful essay on Tony Albert’s upcoming exhibition, Duty of Care, explores duty of care as a social contract and an act of reconciliation. As global outrage at the death of African American man, George Floyd, at the hands of US police officers continues, Brand comments on the potency and relevance of Albert’s work in a world where “institutional and systemic violence experienced by Aboriginal people, and particularly men, is unchanging”, concluding that his stained-glass windows, sand-etched glass text works, and glass casts of Aboriginalia “provide a visual form that like systemic racism can be shattered”. Opening at Canberra Glassworks, June 2020.

We also invited Leigh Robb, curator of the 2020 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Monster Theatres, to write about Polly Borland’s exploration and questioning of our perceptions of beauty and difference. On now, Art Gallery of South Australia.

On a lighter note, you can also read about Richard Lewer’s love for roast chook, Karen Black’s studio mate, Frankie; and discover Kanchana Gupta’s world of influences.

In other news, our digital program continues to expand and this month we are excited to share new conversations with you via our podcast: Natalya Hughes with Grant Stevens, Sally Brand with Tony Albert, and Louis Ho with Jeremy Sharma in Singapore.

We have also majorly tweaked our viewing room (if you haven’t already been there its worth a visit). Enter your email address to visit current exhibitions: Darren Sylvester’s Balustrade Stake and flat, curated by one of Singapore’s most talented curators Louis Ho. There is heaps of content including videos, podcasts and Spotify playlists created by our artists to support the exhibitions.

Or, if you are able, do come visit – we’ve missed you, and are keen to welcome visitors back to our gallery spaces: in keeping with best social distancing and preventive health practices, naturally!

– Urs and Jo

Ursula Sullivan and Joanna Strumpf.

Photo credit: Anna Kucera