Inside The Gallery

INSIDE THE GALLERY (AUSTRALIA) - RURAL UTOPIAS AT AGWA

The Art Gallery of Western Australia and SPACED present Rural Utopias at The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) from 25 November 2023.

Rural Utopias features new works by 10 artists from across Australia, developed over a series of residencies in rural and remote Western Australia, in dialogue with selected objects from AGWA’s $361 million State Art Collection.

In collaboration with their host communities, artists lived and worked within their residency locations responding to the overarching curatorial theme of “Rural Utopias” to deliver context-responsive and socially engaged art.

SPACED Rural Utopias Curator, Miranda Johnson, speaks with Inside The Gallery's Tim Stackpool about the extended journey of the exhibition, the manner in which the artists were affected by the residencies, and how SPACED works with galleries to deliver unique and contemplative exhibitions.

A transcript of this edition is available to download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

 

 

INSIDE THE GALLERY (AUSTRALIA) - RAMSES and THE GOLD OF THE PHARAOHS

We’re invited, by the Australian Museum to transport ourselves back 3,300 years, across the sands of the Sahara Desert to reach the heartbeat of ancient Egypt ruled by the most celebrated pharaoh in the country's storied history. This is the opportunity to experience one of the greatest collections of its kind, in an Australian-first exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs.

This all-new multisensory museum experience provides visitors with a window into the life and accomplishments of Ramses II, more commonly known as Ramses the Great, who ruled Egypt for 67 years – the second longest reign for any pharaoh, living an astonishing 92 years. It’s exclusive to Sydney, and features 182 priceless artefacts including the sarcophagus of Ramses II - one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered – and there are other treasures too, and one-of-a-kind relics, some of which have actually never left Egypt before.

Speaking about the exhibition, this edition of the podcast features museum director and CEO Kim McKay AO, curator Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities Dr Mostafa Waziry, and World Heritage Exhibitions VP Troy Collins. 

A transcript of this edition is available to download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

INSIDE THE GALLERY (AUSTRALIA) - SANGEETA SANDRASEGAR: CROSSING CULTURES

Sangeeta Sandrasegar’s art practice is centred on hybridity theories, and explores her life in Australia as an artist of Malaysian, Indian and Australian heritage, and the relationship between migrant communities and homelands.

Her practice, including her highly regarded work with paper cutouts, has engaged with shadows as an ephemeral motif symbolising the movement of cultures and people. Recently too, Sangeeta’s work has involved the dying of large flowing fabric panels, with a particular focus on the nature and message of colours, particularly INDIGO

Good friend of this podcast Pedram Khosronejad (Adjunct Professor at the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University) spoke to Sangeeta via Zoom, and asked her about the nature of her work, the strong international influences, and the manner by which curators, gallerists and artists work together. 

Information about Sangeeta's work acquired by the Museum of Contemporary Art here:

https://www.mca.com.au/artists-works/artists/sangeeta-sandrasegar/

A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

 

INSIDE THE GALLERY (AUSTRALIA) - MAJID RABET: ENGINEER/ARTIST/REFUGEE

Artist and engineer Majid Rabet came to Australia via Indonesia, and was detained by Australian Immigration, firstly at Christmas Island, and then at Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney.

While there - for two years - to help ease the anxiety of his situation, he put his skills and inspiration to work. Majid noticed discarded material in the refuse area of the Centre which he knew he could re-purpose into usable things.

Majid Rabet made many other things to make his life, and the lives of his fellow detainees easier and more comfortable. Good friend of this podcast Pedram Khosronejad (Adjunct Professor at the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University) spoke to Majid at a recent exhibition, and asked about his journey, his work, and his plans for the future. 

Majid's work acquired by the Powerhouse in Sydney is available to view here:

https://collection.maas.museum/set/8217

Majid's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majrabet/?hl=en

A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

 

 

 

INSIDE THE GALLERY (AUSTRALIA) - TWO ARTISTS, ONE SUBJECT

Artists John Klein and Sally Ryan both separately chose Sydney designer and media presenter Claudia Chan Shaw as their subject for entry into this year's Archibald Art Prize. Hear how the artists differed in their approach to representing Claudia, how they prepared and undertook the sittings, and their impressions of each other's work.

This year, 949 Archibald entries were received, with 57 selected for final judging, currently on display at the Art Gallery of NSW. A further 34 works not selected for the official exhibition are on curated display at S.H Ervin Gallery's Salon des Refusés.

A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

 

 

INSIDE THE GALLERY (AUSTRALIA) - DR LÉULI ESHRĀGHI @ TARRAWARRA

Victoria’s TarraWarra Biennial is underway until mid-July, featuring works curated by Dr Léuli Eshrāghi, focusing on the interconnectedness of the peoples of Australia, Asia, and the Great Ocean. The exhibition is titled 'ua usiusi faʻavaʻasavili', a Sāmoan proverb which means ‘the canoe obeys the wind’. The proverb is demonstrative of Great Ocean celestial navigation practices, following centuries of European and Asian colonial occupations. 

This episode features Dr Eshrāghi discussing the exhibition, their background, and identifying new trends in contemporary Australian art. 

A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.