C293/08
10 November 2008
20 x 20 Exchange: a collection of contemporary Australian printmaking at the John Curtin Gallery
31 October – 5 December 2008
Student exhibition ‘20 x 20 Exchange’ is a showcase of contemporary printmaking works on exchange between the Department of Art at Curtin University of Technology, RMIT in Melbourne and the National Art School in Sydney.
The collection, which will be on display at the John Curtin Gallery until Friday 5 December, pushes the boundaries of traditional printmaking practice and explores the expressive potential of the contemporary print.
Curtin University of Technology’s Dean of Art, Professor Ted Snell, said the exhibition showed the diversity of response from students around the country.
“It also reveals the innovative approaches to image making that is encouraged in art schools across Australia,” he said.
“Working on a similar format highlights the sense of exploration and experimentation, encouraging each viewer to find their own pathway through the multiplicity of possibilities presented by the students.”
Curtin lecturer and curator of the exhibition, Susanna Castleden, said the project aimed to promote the artistic and creative works of art students from across Australia.
“I developed the idea three years ago with a lecturer at RMIT. The idea was to gain more exposure for our students who often have excellent artwork, however lack the funding to exhibit their work,” she said.
“The printed image has a unique capacity to be reproduced in multiple versions and the 20 x 20 cm format has allowed their works to be transported quite easily across the borders.
“The 64 combined prints are a reflection of the vibrancy and the diversity of upcoming Australian printmaking talent.”
To explain their inspiration for the exhibition, the artists from Curtin explore the notions about sport both ranging in scope from literal illustrations to metaphorical concepts of games and play.
Curtin print media student Hannah Jackson, of Guildford, said she used a metaphorical approach to the exhibitions’ theme.
“I used an image of a moving merry-go-round which was taken in Tours, France. The work acknowledges the perpetual intermingling of life and simple fun and games,” she said.
The exhibition will run concurrently with the John Curtin Gallery’s last exhibitions for 2008, Denise Green: Out West that showcases the work of the Australian-born New York-based artist and writer, and Lost a new collection of audio installations and large scale photographs by Perth artist Kate McMillan.
Editors note:
The 20 x 20 exchange project, Lost and Denise Green: Out West will be open to the public from 31 October – 5 December 2008. Entry is free. The Gallery is open between 12pm and 5pm Monday to Friday and will also be open for its Sunday@Curtin event between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday 30 November 2008. Contact: Monique Billstein on 08 9266 3353 or email m.billstein@curtin.edu.au for further information
Modified: 10 November 2008
