Four Fine Art students taking you to galleries all over South East Queensland and the greater Brisbane area. Reviewing exhibitions for a younger gallery-going audience, and those who want to get into the art scene and see what's happening. From four different perspectives we review a range of exhibitions and galleries to suit every taste. We have a special interest in galleries with a community-based focus, but with national and international flavour, too, when local exhibitions offer these works. Take a look.

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Addition Gallery - Addition 3



Outside of Addition Gallery

Located in Brisbane city’s west end, the Addition Gallery is a newly formed and aspiring artist-run-initiative (ARI).

Originally formed by 13 art students – newly graduated and soon to be – the gallery only just premiered their first exhibition, Addition 1, in the latter portion of March 2012. Since then, Addition Gallery has just recently closed its third exhibition, Addition 3, having had a two-week run lasting from September 27th – October 11th. Curated by Lisa Bryan-Brown, this exhibition focused on the role of feminism in today’s contemporary art practice. Seven artists were showcased, 6/7 of them female.


Edition 3 catalogue 2012
The gallery itself is very comely in the fact that it’s held within a simple white, classic Queensland-style house. Its ‘addition sign’ symbol seems almost religious in its crucifix-like appearance, offering hope to wayward artists unwilling to sell themselves or conform to today’s avarice for consumer materiality. The most current exhibition, Addition 3, was quite diverse in its exploration of feminism. The artists featured made everything from oil paintings, paper collages and knitted crafts to films, bullet hole ridden posters and sculptures. Along with the Edition 3 catalogue of the show, which consists of written responses to the work, the featured artists’ profiles are available online through the Addition website.

A collection of Tyza Stewart's work for 2012
Each and every artist was/is interesting in the individual way in which they interpret feminism in their work. Tyza Stewart for example made a series of paintings and paper collages depicting an assortment of female heads (many self portraits) on male bodies. Much of their genitalia are missing however. This could possibly be a show of equal rights, being that with the lack of genitals, so is the power normally connoted with said body parts.  Another great example is Alice Lang, who not only knit and sewed a room-length sculpture of that which resembles (to me personally) a giant friendship bracelet with the words ‘Epic Failure’ on it, but also painted a small but poignant painting depicting the words ‘Slutz Vote’, evoking feelings of the Woman Suffrage march of the early 1900’s. Such works as these convey the rise of feminism in today’s society and with its voice comes its fight for equality.


Alice Lang's Slutz Vote 2012
One thing that I personally found interesting was that this exhibition, which was curated to completely revolve around feminism, is held in such a domestic atmosphere. The space itself is an old Queensland home that’s obviously been recently renovated. There’s a kitchen with new appliances, office space, and even an extra little room that could easily pass for a nursery or crafts room. I wonder if displaying an exhibition such as this one in such a space is meant as a parody? Like finding equality and inner-self in the home, normally a postcard setting for all 1950’s housewives? Fall of misogynists, rise of Rosie!

Although this exhibition is no longer running, I highly recommend having a browse through the website and the artist profiles. The artist discussion board is also available for listening. No two-like artworks were placed beside each other unless otherwise grouped, so the viewer doesn’t subconsciously compare one work to the other. This exhibition was very straightforward with certain ideas while surreptitious with the delicate politics surrounding many of these ideas. Much of the work, even that of a graphic nature, seemed to take on a delicate quality which could be a reflection of the gallery itself.

Unless noted, I took photos of all the pictures posted

To check out the link online, click the link below

http://additiongallery.com/


Addition, n.d., image, viewed 13 October 2012,
<http://additiongallery.com/contact>

Edition 3, n.d., image, viewed 13 October 2012,
            <http://additiongallery.com/publishing/edition3>

32 Hardgrave Road,
West End, Brisbane
AUSTRALIA
4101

M-F : 10 - 2
S-S  : 10 - 4

additiongallery@gmail.com

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1 comment:

  1. Unknown22 October 2012 at 02:21

    This was an interesting review! I was especially intrigued by the connection made between the gallery itself and the exhibition's artworks. I never thought about the irony there! I'll be sure to take a closer look. Sounds great.

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