Page 11 - Annual Review 2008

REwARdS / 11
‘Contemporary Australia: Optimism’ is the first in a
triennial series of thematic contemporary Australian art
exhibitions. The series aims to be the most significant
showcase of contemporary Australian art in the country.
‘Optimism’ presents more than 250 works by 67
emerging, mid-career and senior artists from every state
and territory. The exhibition represents many aspects
of contemporary Australian visual art and culture —
painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, installation,
video, cinema, animation, performance, music and
comedy. It also includes specially commissioned large-
scale new works, some to be acquired by the Gallery.
Brisbane-based author John Birmingham spoke at the
exhibition’s media preview and Australian comedian
Judith Lucy surprised opening night guests with
a performance which closed the official part of the
opening program.
Represented in the exhibition are senior artists Robert
MacPherson, Michael Leunig, Robert Owen and
Nawurapu Wunungmurra; mid-career artists Vernon
Ah Kee, Patricia Piccinini, Scott Redford and Jan
Nelson; and emerging artists Tony Albert, Gemma Smith
and Victoria Reichelt. The Australian Cinémathèque is
presenting retrospectives of three important Australian
filmmakers: Rolf de Heer, Clara Law and Ivan Sen.
The Children’s Art Centre has worked directly with 12
of the artists, creating one of the Gallery’s strongest ever
children’s programs — Kids Contemporary Australia.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through
the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
Scenes from the 'Contemporary Australia: Optimism' opening.
Left: Guests with Kathy Temin's installation My monument: White forest 2008.
Above left: Christian de Vietri's Simon 2005 surrounded by guests.
Above right: A visitor views Dale Frank’s works, The Optometrists 2008 (left) and Dale. I’m not
sure if your comments over lunch the other day were meant to embarrass me. In any case they
didn’t, I’ve seen and heard it all before, you should be embarrassed. I don’t think either of us
deserved your petulance and tiresome behavior. My sciatica nerve also plays up a bit, but from
the way you’re getting around I’d say it’s more a case of having too much shit in your pants.
They were boring paintings, do something else 2008 (at right).
Photographs: Natasha Harth sketch for Michael
Zavros's Studioland in
ids Contemporary Australia