Overview

Artspace’s acclaimed 52 ACTIONS presents the launch of its national tour at Penrith Regional Gallery, featuring works from 52 Australian artists and collectives across generations, geographies and cultural backgrounds. Working in a wide variety of mediums, together they highlight the diversity, complexity and dynamism of contemporary Australian art. 

As the title suggests, 52 ACTIONS is grounded in art as action. The artists explore and reflect on what art is, what it can do within the gallery and far beyond: art as a political motivator, a cultural transmitter, a means for understanding, a tool for shifting perspectives, holding memory, bridging divides and inciting change. These ideas are intimately connected with the role of the artist, from facilitator to provocateur, creator to witness.

Guided by the local, the artists’ actions speak to critical global concerns including systemic discrimination, climate change, forced migration and colonial legacies. Notions of freedom are ever present, as is the sacred knowledge of First Peoples, the importance of family and community, and speculations about our shared future.

The exhibition has evolved from Artspace’s online commissioning platform of the same name, which from 2020 to 2021 presented new works each week by the 52 participants on Artspace’s website and standalone Instagram @52artists52actions. In close collaboration with Artspace, Penrith Regional Gallery brings together a selection of these works and others in an adaptive, site-specific exhibition that is responsive to our unique context.

With participating artists: Eddie Abd, Abdul Abdullah, Adrift Lab, Brook Andrew, Aphids, Archie Barry, Nathan Beard, Naomi Blacklock, Diego Bonetto, Pat Brassington, Johnathon World Peace Bush, Chun Yin Rainbow Chan, Erin Coates, Lill Colgan & Sab D’Souza, Michael Cook, Nici Cumpston, Léuli Eshrāghi, Ruha Fifita, Guo Jian, Rochelle Haley, Tyza Hart, Larissa Hjorth, Naomi Hobson, Jannawi Dance Clan, Karrabing Film Collective, Gillian Kayrooz, Loren Kronemyer, Adam Linder, Dani Marti, Pilar Mata Dupont, Hayley Millar Baker, TV Moore, Raquel Ormella, OLC Art Collective, Henri Papin (Meijers & Walsh), Jason Phu, Patricia Piccinini, Kenny Pittock, Yhonnie Scarce, Sancintya Mohini Simpson, Rolande Souliere, Stelarc, Shahmen Suku, Sēini F Taumoepeau, James Tylor, Unbound Collective, Ivey Wawn, Kaylene Whiskey, Min Wong, Chris Yee, Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, Louise Zhang

Dates

Penrith Regional Gallery
28 August – 27 November 2022
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Wangaratta Art Gallery
22 April 2023 – 4 June 2023

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Jervis Bay Maritime Museum & Gallery, NSW
1 July – 7 October 2023
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Lismore Regional Gallery
Late 2023 – 2024 

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Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
March – June 2024

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Glasshouse Regional Gallery
August – November 2024

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Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, QLD
28 August – 27 November 2022

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Devonport Regional Gallery
March – May 2025