Australia's summer exhibition season features major art displays across several cities.
Ron Mueck: Encounter in Sydney
The Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) in Sydney is hosting "Ron Mueck: Encounter," the largest local exhibition of the Australian artist's hyper-realistic sculptures in 15 years.
The exhibition, part of the Sydney International Art Series, includes 15 works dating back to 1998, with nine sculptures never before seen in Australia.
New works include "Havoc," featuring six snarling dogs. Mueck's practice, rooted in his background as a toymaker and work in film, evolved after his work "Dead Dad" gained prominence in London's 1997 "Sensation" exhibition. His career highlights include the 5-meter sculpture "Boy" at the 2001 Venice Biennale and "Pregnant Woman," which is featured in the AGNSW exhibition.
Mueck's art is characterized by extreme variations in scale and intricate detail, focusing on the human condition. The exhibition runs until April 12.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence in Brisbane
Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) presents "Olafur Eliasson: Presence," an exhibition showcasing over 20 works by the Icelandic-Danish artist, spanning his 30-year career. The collaboration began after GOMA hosted Eliasson's "Riverbed" in 2019.
Eliasson's installations frequently incorporate natural elements such as light, water, and air to influence perception.
The exhibition includes three new works, notably the namesake "Presence," a glowing yellow sun-like sphere made of mirrors. Other works include photographs from "The large Iceland series" (2012), documenting glacial ice and waterfalls to highlight the climate crisis.
Eliasson's work also explores the fragmentation of ideas and perspectives through the manipulation of light, demonstrating how viewing angles alter perception. "Riverbed" has returned for this exhibition, which aims to encourage reflection on the natural world and its preservation. "Olafur Eliasson: Presence" is open until July 12.
Hobart Current: Here in Hobart
"Hobart Current: Here," Hobart's biennial contemporary art survey, is co-directed by palawa artist Denise Robinson and curator Travis Tiddy. The 2024 edition commissioned 10 Tasmanian artists, emphasizing collaboration and the expansive theme of "Here," which addresses Hobart, Tasmania, and concepts of time, history, and future.
Many installations extend beyond the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) into the Hobart CBD.
Examples include:
- Mary Scott's installation in a museum basement.
- Jonny Scholes's "Department of Truth," involving a video game and public signage.
- Jodi Haines's bus tour exploring memories of Hobart suburbia.
- Jenni Large's public creation of plaster body casts.
- Marion Abraham's five-panel painting "Resistance Is Beautiful," connecting diverse landscapes.
- Sarah Morawetz's "Cut from the Same Cloth (Disassembly of Empire)," which involves unstitching national flags.
- Andy Hutson's puppet animations addressing environmental threats.
The project emphasizes community engagement and career development for young artists. "Hobart Current: Here" runs at TMAG and various Hobart CBD sites until April 26.