Arc Biennial of Art 2009

Hola!

What an exciting time it is to be in Brisbane! Our city is simply ablaze with it’s 150th birthday celebrations along with a plethora of cultural events to enjoy!

Artworkers is powering full steam ahead, as our staff and volunteers work tirelessly towards creating the best Arc Biennial by far!

I am happy to report that our first major opening, Across the Gulf on 4 September was a massive success. A huge thank-you to all our sponsors and ever vigilant volunteers for making it all possible.

If you missed the opening however, don’t panic! – We’re going to do it all over again THIS FRIDAY (25 Sept) 6.00-8.00PM for the closing celebration.

Be sure to make it down to the majestic Howard Smith Wharves, this is one of the most interesting venues in town, with a 5 million dollar view to boot! A venture away from the sterile walls of the art gallery, Shed E at the Howard Smith Wharves is a character unto itself, oozing an industrial chic which juxtaposes the beautiful river/city views and stunning visual art from the Middle East.

See you there!

- costa

SHED E @ HOWARD SMITH WHARVES
SEPTEMBER 4 – SEPTEMBER 27 2009

Waheeda Malallah, Photograph  – one of a series

Across the Gulf is a major exhibition of works by twenty two Emirate artists from Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, initiated and developed by Metasenta Projects, RMIT University.

This exhibition is striking in comparison to other recent Middle East exhibitions around the world in two major ways:

1) it presents a showcase of emerging and established artists who are all practicing from within their culture, rather than building their practice in the west, and

2) the presentation of the work is in contrast to shows of Middle Eastern art in the contemporary museum’s neutral space which serve to heighten not only a distanced and reflective western viewpoint of the nature and representation of art, but also emphasizes the works as objects of possession.

These artists are making contemporary art in the face of a cultural landscape that is undergoing intensive and unparalleled change.

Maitha Demalthan ‘Blossom’

Across the Gulf will primarily showcase an array of photographic, multimedia, screen and digital works in a non-traditional gallery space. By fracturing the space and presenting images from all angles, audiences will be made aware of their own physicality within the labyrinth of images and changing dynamic of the exhibition. This type of fracturing, or disorientation is also deeply embedded in many works that emerge from those places where cultures and aesthetics collide.

Omran Al Owais ‘BelKhoushoum’

Across the Gulf 2008-2009 is a Metasenta Project.

Director and Curator : Dr. Irene Barberis.
Founding Benefactor: Po and Helen Chung Foundation.
Supporting Universities: RMIT University & University of the Arts London.

Shed E – Howard Smith Wharves

Petrie Bight under the Story Bridge on Valley side of river – on Bikeway

Exhibition hours
Monday – Friday 12.30 – 6.30pm; Saturday/Sunday 10 – 4pm

For more information
Telephone (07) 3215 0850
info@artworkers.org

Parking – extremely limited. Park in city and walk river bike/walkway
Disabled access along Bikeway and into Exhibition