Exhibition • Touring

52 ACTIONS

24 Aug – 3 Nov 2024
Glasshouse Regional Gallery

Above: Jonathan World Peace Bush, World Peace, Tiwi Treaty, 2018, (detail), hand-screenprinted linen. Courtesy the artist and Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, Milikapiti and THIS IS NO FANTASY, Melbourne
Location
Glasshouse Regional Gallery
30-42 Clarence Street
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Opening
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Artspace’s 52 ACTIONS features 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. Artspace is currently partnering with ten venues to deliver a nationwide exhibition tour, supported by Museums & Galleries of NSW.

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 are First Nations’ perspectives, 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 each venue, the exhibition brings together a selection of these works and others in an adaptive, site-specific tour that is responsive to each 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, and Louise Zhang

52 ACTIONS was developed and curated by Artspace, Sydney. The exhibition is touring nationally with Artspace, Sydney, with support from Museums & Galleries of NSW. This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW. It has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Visions of Australia program and through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. It is also supported by the City of Sydney and by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund

Past Locations

Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of the Lewers Bequest, NSW
27 Aug – 27 Nov 2022
Wangaratta Art Gallery, VIC
22 Apr – 4 Jun 2023
Jervis Bay Maritime Museum & Gallery, NSW
22 Jun – 2 Oct 2023
Singleton Arts + Cultural Centre, NSW
2 Dec 2023 – 11 Feb 2024
Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory
2 Mar – 2 Jun 2024
Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
22 Jun – 10 Aug 2024