Last week we headed off to the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) to see an exhibition (free) which had tickled himself's fancy. As an aside, we really need to go to the Gallery more often. Much more often.
To my shame I knew less than nothing about the featured artist, Fiona Hall. She is one of our own contemporary artists and her repetoire includes photography, sculpture, metal work, textiles and more. And I also learned that she designed the fern garden which features at the Gallery.
The exhibition 'Wrong Way Time' was brought to Canberra after being showedcased at at the 56th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale. About which I also knew nothing.
I loved this quote by the artist:
''The world is such an amazing place, yet sadly we are living in troubled times and that sense is reflected in a lot of the works. It was an honour to present the show in Venice and now to bring it to Canberra, especially as I have a longstanding relationship with the NGA'
I found the exhibition beautiful, confronting, sad and at times it was beyond my comprehension. There were also pieces which made me laugh out loud. We may go back so I can muse over pieces again.
Less talk. More images. Lots of images. The gallery has finally allowed visitors to take photos. No flash though, which is a partial excuse for some of the images to follow. And to my pleasure selfie-sticks are also banned.
These were constructed from shredded camouflage uniforms.
The leaves are laid over banknotes from the country they originated in.
This was part of 'Crust'. Carved from loaves of bread, resting on world atlases open to sites of political, cultural and environmental crisis. Some heart-breaking creations here.
More heartbreak. Canned whale.
There were lots of clocks. Which ticked and bonged and chimed. And reminded us that time is ticking away...
Even by my standards this is getting photo heavy. I think I will spread it out, and if you are interested put up more from this exhibiton next week.
To my shame I knew less than nothing about the featured artist, Fiona Hall. She is one of our own contemporary artists and her repetoire includes photography, sculpture, metal work, textiles and more. And I also learned that she designed the fern garden which features at the Gallery.
The exhibition 'Wrong Way Time' was brought to Canberra after being showedcased at at the 56th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale. About which I also knew nothing.
I loved this quote by the artist:
''The world is such an amazing place, yet sadly we are living in troubled times and that sense is reflected in a lot of the works. It was an honour to present the show in Venice and now to bring it to Canberra, especially as I have a longstanding relationship with the NGA'
I found the exhibition beautiful, confronting, sad and at times it was beyond my comprehension. There were also pieces which made me laugh out loud. We may go back so I can muse over pieces again.
Less talk. More images. Lots of images. The gallery has finally allowed visitors to take photos. No flash though, which is a partial excuse for some of the images to follow. And to my pleasure selfie-sticks are also banned.
These were constructed from shredded camouflage uniforms.
The leaves are laid over banknotes from the country they originated in.
This was part of 'Crust'. Carved from loaves of bread, resting on world atlases open to sites of political, cultural and environmental crisis. Some heart-breaking creations here.
More heartbreak. Canned whale.
There were lots of clocks. Which ticked and bonged and chimed. And reminded us that time is ticking away...
Even by my standards this is getting photo heavy. I think I will spread it out, and if you are interested put up more from this exhibiton next week.
Wow...that is intense and the artist is certainly correct in her observations of the current world around us. I look forward to more.
ReplyDeletee: It was intense. And some of it is still nagging at my head over a week later. We are going to have to go back.
DeleteFantastic images, they are truly art. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: She has so much talent. In so many areas.
DeleteShe has quite an imagination and some works are confronting. I especially like the leaves on the notes. Commonsense about photography and definitely selfie sticks.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Definitely confronting. And emotive. And thought provoking.
DeleteVery cool
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: It is an excellent exhibition at a Gallery which is known for them.
DeleteAs much as I loved your photos I think this is an exhibit that would need to be experienced to be properly digested. Thanks you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Oh yes. And even seeing it in person I am still digesting. With a level of indigestion.
DeleteOne could spend a long time at the exhibit. Disturbing images but so creative and thought provoking. I love being engaged by such work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Marie Smith: We spent a couple of hours there. It is relatively small (two rooms only). I was becoming overwhelmed, but there is a LOT more to see and consider. We will go back. I wondered whether we would, and have decided we will.
DeleteThank you so much! I would have loved to visit this exhibit!
ReplyDeleteRomance Book Haven: I wish that lots more people could see it.
DeleteWell, I think the clocks are really really cool. The other stuff is a little out there for me, but it's true, we are living in troubled times and she is expressing it in her own way. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe are: Clamco: There were other clocks too. Amazing things. And yes, some of it is definitely out there. And nearly a week later I am still thinking.
DeleteI accidently deleted a comment by Cloudia.
ReplyDeleteIt read: Art is a smart challenging conversation of the heart, not an amusement. Your engagement here is palpable and praiseworthy dear S!
And she is right. Art (whatever genre) is a conversation. Neil Gaiman said that 'Fiction is a lie that tells us true things, over and over.' And sometimes we need to have those true things pointed out.
That was very different , she has a very vivid imagination.
ReplyDeleteMerle.................
Merlesworld: And some of what she showed us mirrors reality. In its ugliness and in its beauty.
DeleteArt changes the way we look at and feel about the world. More, please, EC!
ReplyDeleteAlexia: I will put up part two next week. I really love art which makes me think, even when the thoughts are not comfortable.
DeleteAll this in just two rooms. More concentration of expression.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: Two very, very crowded rooms. Reflecting the crowds in her head and heart I suspect.
DeleteWhat a marvelous exhibition!
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It is. Not always comfortable, but wonderful. And having been alerted to the artist I will watch out for her work.
DeleteSo very different & challenging to the viewer!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: It was. It is. And some of it was also very beautiful.
DeleteNot sure about some of it, but the clocks are rather fascinating. The skull ones would be real conversation starters.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: There were LOTS of conversations in that exhibition. Not always comfortable ones, but lots to talk about. And there was beauty and wonder too.
DeleteCAH-reepy. But I think that was the point. Troubled times, indeed. Still, it's hard to look at. It's hard to face.
ReplyDeleteSandi: Welcome. Some of it was creepy. And confronting. And sadly true. And not facing it doesn't make any of it go away.
DeleteI found thte skull ones disturbing and would not want to be left alone in a darkeded room with them. Liked the leaves and she certainly is right, time is tickling away, much to quickly.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: I found a lot of the exhibits disturbing/confronting/sad. I don't think I could live with many of them (though some are very beautiful) but I am very glad to have seen the exhibition.
DeleteLots of thought-provoking things.Yes, I'll pop in for more,please.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: She also made some books. I thought of Ellen and you when I saw them. And took many photos.
DeleteThat is a very interesting art exhibit.
ReplyDeletePractical Parsimony: It was. It is.
DeleteThese are fascinating. Are the large "heads" knitted or does it just look that way? And the clock in the first photo - it looks deceptively normal up close; it's only when you look from further away that you see the skull. She is talented indeed. I'm looking forward to anything else you want to share.
ReplyDeletejenny_o: They certainly looked knitted. Or woven. Quite a lot of her work changed as I looked again...
DeleteThat's certainly a very different sort of art, I probably don't properly understand the significance of most of it. I'm sure it makes many people think more about the environment, but how many think while they're viewing and forget it as soon as they get home to their warm comforts? To me, that's a bigger issue. Those who say, "well, isn't that a shame" and then forget about it. Sadly, I'd put myself in that category, simply because there isn't, or doesn't seem to be, anything I can do.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I am sure that some people do forget. However, I think of it as a slow dripping. Each time we think about the issues it sinks in further. And you already do more for the environment than I suspect your parents did. Mine didnt recycle. My father re-used, but garbage was garbage and he burnt compost. Slowly things are changing...
DeleteHi EC - I had to look her up in Wiki - it's interesting how artists often have strong mathematical or statistical skills - her parents and her brother are in those fields.
ReplyDeleteI have to say - it would take some getting used to - but I can see your fascination for the exhibition ... and how it could and should improve our understanding of different parts of the world. I hope you get back.
The Venice Biennale I've never been to - but it certainly highlights creativity in the arts world ...
Thanks for posting for us - and yes I look forward to more photos and ideas ... cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: My parents and brothers are all maths/science oriented. I am not. Missed out on the artistic side too.
DeleteIt wasn't a comfortable exhibition, but definitely intriguing. And some of it is very beautiful.
EC, I'm thinking that you are defining artistic too narrowly. Your gardens, your photography, your writing - they are all in the artistic realm. And you are talented in all of them. And I suspect you have other talents you may not have revealed.
Deletejenny_o: Red-faced and shuffling my feet. Thank you.
DeleteSeveral different objects to look at and most interesting. I do like to see lots of clock with their ticking had chiming.
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: It took a bit of getting used to. The ticks were different and the chimes and bongs very different. And not synchronised.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteIt looks a very thought provoking exhibition - one which leaves you feeling a little uncomfortable and disquieted.
I often think that the sound of a clock, whilst it can be comforting, is also ultimately a little disturbing as it marks the unstoppable passage of time. Perhaps that says more about me?
Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I agree with you about clock noises. Comforting in some moods, and definitely not in others.
DeleteAnd yes, an exhibition to make me ponder. Always a plus.
If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to travel the world and see all the art exhibits I can, like this one. Thanks for sharing - I feel as if I saw it through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteLove the skull clocks - yes, time is ticking away...
Lynn: I need to be better about seeing what is here. As well as the special exhibits our National Art Gallery is full of treasures - which I don't visit often enough.
DeleteMakes you stop and think. I can see why you'd want to return time and time again. Looking forward to more photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I suspect every time I go I will see more. And focus on different aspects. Art never gets old.
DeleteThis art is so cool!
ReplyDeleteGinger Dawn Harman: It is.
DeleteOh my goodness, I MUST send this link to my grandson Michael and his girlfriend. Both are fantastic artists and will love this post. I must learn more about Fiona Hall.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, please show more:-)
DeleteGranny Annie: I don't know how she has never crossed my radar before. And I will certainly keep an eye out for her work now. I hope your grandson and his girlfriend enjoy the link.
DeleteI too want to learn more about this artist. She is right about this being a very tough time in the history of the world, and she's captured many of my fears in her art. Yes, I look forward to more, even though it's not easy art.
ReplyDeleteDJan: Not easy at all. And she echoes some of my fears too. And made me think about other issues...
DeleteSounds like a fascinating show. The crusts of bread are amazing.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: The sculptured bread was amazing. Among other things she created strands of barbed wire in it - which I couldn't capture.
DeleteOMGosh. Who'd a thought.
DeleteThe clocks are interesting, though I don't think I'd want to be awakened by that first one.
Have a great one, Sue.
What a stunning mixture of whimsical and heartache. Profound doesn't quite cover it. Please show more.
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Confronting and beautiful. I am in awe. Still. And there will be more next week. And when I go back again there will undoubtedly be more things to capture/focus on.
DeleteWow. Such a heavy exhibit but not quite paralyzing or overwhelming... Thank you for sharing, very cool!
ReplyDeleteHBF: Some of it I did find overwhelming. And some of it is haunting me. Which is not a bad thing.
DeleteThat is intense, every aspect, the camo uniform souls, the polar bear, the canned whale, the tick tick tick of the clocks.....yikes.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Definitely intense. And equally definitely yikes.
DeleteOh Wow! I am not sure what to say. Such an evocative exhibit. And Bravo to NGA for allowing pics. Yes, please share more EC.
ReplyDeletecarol in cairns: Evocative, powerful, moving, confusing...
DeleteI am very grateful the NGA is finally allowing pictures (and equally grateful they have banned selfie sticks).
What a unique and very cool exhibit. I totally connect with the clocks. There's something about them that just grabs me--maybe my obsession with time and aging or something to that affect.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Collier: So much of this exhibition tugged on my heart strings. And is still tugging.
DeleteWhat marvelous exhibit!
ReplyDeleteKelly Steel: It is. I am so grateful to have discovered the artist though it.
DeleteEnjoyed this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you arranged the pictures
Martin Kloess: Thank you.
DeleteYes, please, more.
ReplyDeletemshatch: Thank you. Next week some time. Wednesday or Thursday I think.
DeleteThat creativity contained in the images you have shown here might have certainly gathered a lot of visitors. This is called art.
ReplyDeletedumcho wangdi: It is indeed.
DeleteI am interested! Please post the rest if you can. :-)
ReplyDeleteBirdie: I will. And I have himself's agreement to go back tomorrow.
DeleteFascinating Art Exhibition. Thank you for sharing your photos.
ReplyDeleteSienna Smythe: It is a very moving exhibition. And I am still mulling some to the exhibits over.
DeleteCiekawa wystawa.Piękne zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam :)
ReplyDeleteMalorzata P: Welcome and thank you.
Deletewell, this exhibition is frightening, fascinating, scary, upsetting and brilliant all at the same time. The world is a changing place. And this is a poignant comment of our life today.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Art Gallery in Canberra when I was there a few years ago.... wonderful place. Love those stained glass windows at the entrance.
Shammickite: Your sentence summed up just what I felt about the exhibition. The Art Gallery is a great place. It is the National Library which has the stained glass windows though - another great place.
Deleteoooops, got the place wrong. But I definitely went to the Art Gallery and I think we had a coffee at the National Library.... i have a photo of the windows.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteShammickite: Easy enough to do. They are quite close together too. And I love them both. And don't visit either of them often enough.
DeleteIt's wonderful to see such creativity that honors the world and what's happening in it. The canned whale really got to me. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: That whale got to me too. I sucked in a deep breath when I saw it. A powerful truth.
DeleteI confess that I had never heard of her and I'm really intrigued by her work. Thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: I knew nothing about her either. Which, considering she is one of our own, is something which shames me.
DeleteThe skull clocks are really amazing. I like all of the images except for the tinned whale. :(
ReplyDeleteBea: Quite a number of her works made me sad. And the tinned whale was one of them.
DeleteI was just browsing through your 2016 reading list and the only one on the list that I have read is the Bone Clocks - David Mitchell, who by the way is one of my favourite authors.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: I loved The Bone Clocks. I will read more of his work when I get my unread towers down a bit.
DeleteIt looks amazing and poignant.
ReplyDeleteladyfi: Both of those things.
DeleteI do love going to places like this. It leaves me in awe.
ReplyDeleteLux G.: Me too. Awe and wonder.
DeleteHmmm, it's happened again, I popped back to see your reply (which I always enjoy reading) and found that my comment hadn't posted. I'd said something along the lines of how much I admire your fortitude as this is an exhibition which would have seen me peek through the door and then run at speed towards the botanical gardens.
ReplyDeleteKim: I am sorry that blogger is witholding your comments from me. Lots of this IS confronting. And heart-breaking. It also made me think. I went back today. And am still thinking. I also went to see the fern garden she designed. Which filled me with awe.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing images of the fern garden, if you post some. How fascinating that she has such varied interests and talents. It could be my fault with the postings, maybe I'm forgetting the second click
DeleteKim: There will be photos of the fern garden. Definitely.
DeleteWhat amazing artwork! Some of it is heart-wrenching in photos, so I can only imagine how it must have been to see these things in person. It takes a brilliant artist to evoke deep feelings and make us think. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSusan: My heart was certainly wrenched. And parts of my brain activated. Which is a good thing.
DeleteThis is a fascinating exhibit, definitely you can see her heart and soul in these pieces. Thank you for sharing a new artist to me too, and I would like to see more of her work when you have the time.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I am so impressed at her heart, her soul, her mind and her skilled fingers.
DeleteThere are some interesting pieces. I like to view art that's not the norm.
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Definitely not the norm. Thought provoking. And scary.
DeleteI have not heard of her but very interesting how different they are! Soldiers uniform pieces, bread, and sadly whale. I like clocks too. I would like to see more of the exhibit, you took great pics without a flash!
ReplyDeleteKim Standard: There will be at least two more posts. One on the fern garden, and more from the exhibition.
DeleteSounds like an awesome exhibit!
ReplyDeleteRomance Reader: It was. It is. And some parts of it are still hurting my head and my heart.
DeleteHer forms defy gravity! I tried to see how all that metal is supported, but could not make it out. And the ones where media collided--bread with money!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing exhibit. Your cell camera did just fine.
Susan Kane: So much of what she created is beyond me. And there are some more 'gravity defying' pieces to come. And some quirky fun.
DeleteWishing you a wondrous weekend.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: And to you.
DeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI shall keep my comment mercifully brief. That's quite the exhibition that touched you on various levels of emotion.
A peaceful weekend to you.
Gary
klahanie: Dear Gary. Always nice to see youl. And yes, that exhibition did touch me.
DeleteA lovely weekend to you too. And to Penny and Tristan.
Most creative and awesome artwork. Wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a wonderful and sunny weekend. We are in the midst of the third day of rain.
ReplyDeleteRasma Raisters: Thank you. We are having rain - but I am glad of it. And cool weather. And I am glad of that too.
DeleteSome of the artwork looks a little creeeeepy!
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: Some of it is certainly disturbing. As it should be.
DeleteWow, what a great thing to go see. Such a nice mix she has. Why not flash? Interesting about the selfie sticks not being allowed. The world really has gone selfie-mad these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting these :)
The Happy Whisk: I assume no flash because repeated flashes could damage the colours in some of the old masters. An educated guess.
DeleteAnd the ban on selfie sticks suits me just fine. It isn't about us. And shouldn't be.
Ohhh, that makes sense about the flash, I had no idea. But that could very well be.
DeleteThe Happy Whisk: Next time I go to the gallery I will ask - but that was the reason I thought of.
DeleteThis place is amazing Heartbreaking indeed. How slow I am getting here, though I've been looking. X
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: You are welcome whenever you stop in. Always.
DeleteWow! What a fascinating post filled with so much to take in. I looked through everything twice and am still contemplating it all. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: Even after two visits there are some exhibits which are haunting me.
DeleteWow- that's intense! The canned whale got me.
ReplyDeleteTerri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: And me. As did the flattened polar bear.
Delete