INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE CONTEMPORARY ART

ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA NORTH TERRACE, ADELAIDE Open daily10am–5pm artgallery.sa.gov.au INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 2 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning

, 2004‑05, London, laminated lime wood, x 70.0 x 110.0 , 2011, Robertson,, 2011, New South Wales, oil on linen, eight panels, Responding using by eyes, ears and imaginations Discussing how and why works are made and displayed Investigating the diversity contemporary of art forms Exploring techniques and materials Making experimenting by with new or familiar materials Using art to tell their own story ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Some the of ways students can learn more about contemporary art include: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ By viewing works art of in the Gallery and initiating dialogue with students Australian Curriculum outcomes can be met with ease. The exact dimensions of staying behind Evening shadows, Rorschach after Johnstone Information and hyperlinks correct at time of print. Art Gallery of South Australiaof this resource. staff Kylie Neagle and Lisa Slade contributed to the development The Gallery’s Learning programs are supported by the Department for Education and Child Development. 105.0 cm; Maurice A. Clarke Bequest Art Fund 2013, Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide 115.0 x 175.0 cm (each panel),115.0 230.0 x 702.0 cm (overall); Gift of Ben Quilty through the Art Galleryto celebrate of South the Australia 10th anniversary Contemporary of Contemporary Collectors Collectors Donated 2013. throughGallery the Australian of South Australia, Government’s Adelaide, Cultural Courtesy Gifts Ben Program, Quilty Art image (front cover): Ricky Swallow, Australia, 1974, These can be used as a starting point to consider a range perspectivesof within the context social, of cultural and historical viewpoints. the strands Responding of and Making, providing opportunities students for experience to explore and the concepts artists, of artworks, world and audience. The activities suggested in this resource link with the Australian Curriculum: Arts (Visual Arts) through image detail: Ben Quilty, Australia, 1973, HOW TO USE TO THIS HOW RESOURCE INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 3 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning Critic Cultural conventions Curator Installation Judge Mainstream Medium/Media Image Moving Philanthropy Series KEY LITERACY WORDS Acquisitive/Acquisition Appropriation Assemblage Art criticism Artist Artwork Audience Conceptual art Contemporary Controversy

, 1995, Fremantle,, 1995, Western Australia, fibreglass, synthetic polymer paint, aluminium,105.0 x 320.0 x Rhinoceros Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Stories Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia Personal and Social Capability Ethical Understanding Sustainability Literacy Numeracy Information and Communication technology Critical and Creative Thinking ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ image: James Angus, Australia, 1970, 165.0 cm; Gift of Helen Brown Art 1996 Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney ■ ■ ■ ■ CURRICULUM PRIORITIES CROSS ■ ■ ■ ■ GENERAL CAPABILITIES GENERAL CAPABILITIES ■ Capabilities building of Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability and Ethical Understanding. the cross curriculum priorities Sustainability, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, and Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia; and the General Gallery’s collection contemporary of art align with multiple Australian Curriculum areas including Arts, English, History, Mathematics and Science. In addition, the resource supports The variedlearning opportunities presented the in AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM CURRICULUM AUSTRALIAN CONNECTIONS INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 4 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning Untitled (blue wedding , 2003, Sydney, Wedding gowns , from the series Foundation Donated 2015. through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.Courtesy the artist image: Anne Ferran, Australia, born 1949, gown #1) gelatin‑silver photograph, 92.5 x 258.0 cm (image); Gift of Julian & Stephanie Grose through the Art Gallery of South Australia pleasing blockbusters andthe - to feel the brave new world relentlessly unfolding before us, contemporary artists can help us to face the future. like theThey, best scientists and bravest thinkers, are the first to ask ‘what if?’ They see failure as integral to success. connection and inspiration. Furthermore contemporary art with the help burgeoning of biennials, art fairs and festivals is moving out the of art gallery and coming to you. dull without it. It’s part theof very fabric our of lives. A couple years of ago, festival doyenne Robyn Archer challenged us to try one day without art. She awakened us, as all good art does, to the human need for beauty, Turbine Hall treated visitors to a theme park experience that awakened their sense fun, of fearlessness and their inner philosopher. Höller’s work, like much contemporary art, has generated its share controversy of too. controversial. anything. Even objects and experiences never considered art are today part the of contemporary art canon. Carsten Höller’s metre 56 Modern’s long slide in Tate understand and engage in our world. Contemporary art is always related to thetime and place in which it is produced. adolescent. adolescent. in ways that are poetic and potent – in ways that we’d never imagine – contemporary artists challenge us to – the subjects crowd of darlings auction of houses. Their journey from the edge as boundary riders, to the centre, to become defining voicesin art, is the story art of history itself. It’s a little like thinking your of grandfather or grandmotheras a defiant Young radicalsYoung like Picasso, Kahlo and Pollock we were once ridiculed and derided. Now they’re household names Contemporary artists are future proofers. As part the of vanguard, those first into battle, those first Contemporary art is everywhere. Contemporary art is everywhere and life would be pretty Contemporary art is good fun….and at times, Contemporary art is fun and fearless. And it can look like Contemporary art is about contemporary life. With the capacity to tell us about our world and ourselves All great art has been contemporary artat some stage. The very idea the of contemporary is anything but new. 5 4

3 2 1 Assistant Director Artistic of Programs Lisa Slade provides 5 definitionscontemporaryof art. WHAT IS CONTEMPORARYWHAT ART? INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 5 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning ,

For better or for worse image: Sue Kneebone, Australia, 1963, Adelaide,2010, giclée print on paper, 90.0 x 70.0 cm; Ed and Sue Tweddell Fund for South Australian Contemporary Art Art 2010, Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, © Sue Kneebone

, 2011, Sydney, Wombeyan marble,, 2011, stainless steel eyelets, halyard, My concerns will outlive will yours concerns My As T A B sinks As T in, you may begin to 3 minutes simply looking at a work art, of - The title or wall label may provide some You may have now reached You some conclusions Can you relate? Perhapsyou are visually Take a second look. Take Prolonged engagement Spend 2 nderstanding ssessment ssociation ackground ook Againook ime the TABULAprocess before making any harsh judgements. A about or appreciation for the work art. of Evaluation is subjective so refrain from venturing here first.Travel along L may mean you see something that went unnoticed before. transpire. U piece the information together and some realisations may information that may lead you to the artist’s intention. times,At just knowing the country the artist is from or the title the of work may help to complete the picture. else you are familiar with. B A drawn to the work art of or it may remindsomething you of in silence. Allow time to gather thoughts, observations and ideas. contemporary works art of on display in the Gallery. T Ossian Ward, writer, critic,and Head Content of at Lisson Gallery in London, hasdevised a method to aidthe experience and understanding contemporary of works art. of Use Ward’s acronym: TABULA to unpack the TABULA image: Alex Seton, Australia, 1977, 28.0 x 155.0 x 75.0 cm; Gift of the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation Art Gallery 2011, photo: of South Per Ericson Australia, Adelaide. © Alexander Seton. INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 6 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning Consider the material TIP dimensional work art of and - After looking carefully at the materials used by contemporary artists select on display, 5 works art of and rank the works from heaviest and lightest. Discuss your ranking with a friend. properties as well as the quantity or volume the of material. What can you say about contemporary art? Name 5 things you noticed. Contemporary artists often reimagine traditional images or objects and provide new perspectives on historical works art. of a walk through Take the Melrose and Elder Wings. In small groups, locate a work art of that reminds one you of you experienced elsewhere in the Gallery. Perhaps the artist has used similar materials or has addressed similar themes. may like to use a Venn You diagram to organise your thoughts. Share your response with the class. Select a work three consider how the artist would have made it.Write a method providing clear instructions for how this piece could be made again. #2, 2012, Yogyakarta, #2, 2012, fibreglass, resin, plastic,153.0 x 61.0 cm;fabric,110.0 x Roy and Flower generationFlower image: Eko Nugroho, Indonesia, 1977, Indonesia, Nugroho, 1977, image: Eko Marjory Edwards Bequest Art Fund 2013, Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, © Courtesy the artist Imagine you are a judge responsible for choosing the best contemporary work in the Gallery’s collection. Which work would you choose? Explain your answer. different media. What is the most unusual item you could use to create a work art? of make works art. of Collate a list the of unusual materials used in works art of on display in the Gallery. As a class create list a pros of and cons when working with makes you laugh? Share your responses with a friend. Contemporary artists often find innovative ways to dark, dry, wet, loud, quiet, sharp, hot or cold. Look again for a different work art of that makes you feel happy, sad,calm or angry? Can you findwork a of art that Select a contemporary work art of that best represents one the of words from the list below: Soft, hard, light, Take turns sharingTake a word thatbest describes the work. Explain why you selected that word. Listento other how? differ? so, If opinion responses, your does select a contemporary work art of in the Gallery. Look closely at the work art. of Whatis your first impression? RESPONDING Contemporary artists encourage us to ask questions and see the world from varied perspectives. As a class, PRIMARY CONTEMPORARY ART – RESPONDING MAKING AND – ART CONTEMPORARY INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 7 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning , , 2001, Dachang Human human – cloisonné bust 3 Postcards from the edge (in search of living curiosities) image: Danie Mellor, Australia, 1971, from the series Multiple Histories, Canberra, 2011, mixed media on paper, 152.5 cm; x 221.5 d'Auvergne Boxall Bequest Art Fund Gallery 2011, of South Australia, Adelaide, Courtesythe artist. of Represented by Caruana & Reid Fine Art, Sydney and Jan MurphyCourtesy Gallery, Brisbane, of the artist, Caruana & Reid Fine Art, Sydney and Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane Dachang County, Heibei Province, China, County, Hebei Province, cloisonné enamel on copper, 45.0 x 42.5 x 25.5 cm; Gift of ETSA Utilities and the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2006,Adelaide. Art Gallery © courtesy of South the artist Australia, image: Ah Xian, China/Australia, born 1960, Jingdong Cloisonné Factory, manufacturer, China, dimensional work art of that - If you could make a work artof from any material in the world, what would it be and why? THINK AND AND THINK DISCUSS exhibition? Will you have a catalogue? Judges: Who have you selected as your judges? What is the criteria for selecting a winner? Will you have a people’s choice prize? Venue andVenue Display: Where will the exhibition be displayed and who will install the work? Exhibition: When is opening night? Who will open your it be? Perhaps approach local school your or businesses principal. Entries: What are the rules for entering works art? of Sponsorship: Who will sponsor your prize? What will ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ roles to each member the of class to form a committee: ■ As a class, create a Contemporary Art Prize for your school. Assign Using only white paper create a three focusses on texture. will often use materials we may as ordinaryconsider disposable. or only found or recycled objects. Artists love to experiment and or unusual materials. Locate these works art of and make a list their of materials. Create a work art of using boundaries with ideas and objects. Some the of artists in the Gallery’s collection have used found objects Since at least the time Marcel of Duchamp artists have pushed the PRIMARY MAKING INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 8 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning , 2011, Melbourne,, 2011, – Jane Howard, Versus Rodin or Burial ground Check Adelaide Review, Artlink, HINT Criticism works in conversation. This conversation takes many shapes: the conversation between critic and art, between critic between reader, and critic critic. and used in the work you selected. Present your findings to the class using additional works art of to support your findings. culture journalist based in Adelaide. Become familiar with exhibition reviews in relation to their content and tone. Select one area the of Gallery and write an exhibition review. What contemporary works will you discuss in yourreview? Why have certain works art of been placed adjacent to others? As a class create a website that collates your reviews. Continue to add to this forum as you see new exhibitions or displays in a bid to stimulate genuine dialogue. Art Guide, The Advertiser or The Australian or see resource list for a recent review of TARNANTHI. Colour is one the of most powerful art elements as it has the power to mood convey and emotion. Select your favourite contemporary work art of on display. Investigate the history and science behind three colours ‘Contemporary art about is Use three works art of to support your image: Yhonnie Scarce, Kokatha/Nukunu people, South Australia,glass, Australia, Perspex, 33.0 x 38.0 born x 133.0 cm Woomera, (variable), 1973, South x 206.0 97.0 Australia, cm (plinth); x 81.0 Gift of the Art GalleryGallery of South of South Australia Australia, Foundation Adelaide. Art 2012, Courtesy of the Artist and THIS IS NO FANTASY + dianne tanzer gallery, Melbourne about culture, society and politics. Select a work art of that engages with contemporary social issues and create a newspaper headline that articulatesthis issue. argument. Contemporary artists often challenge our assumptions Discuss the statement contemporary life’. contemporary works art of have caused controversy or debate. Explain how these events challenged the mainstream? relate to a historical work art. of Investigate incidents in Australian art history where place in which it is produced’. Consider this statement with relation to a contemporary works art of in the Gallery’s collection. Explain how this statement could also answer. ‘Contemporary art is always related to the time and considered appropriation. Can you find an exampleof an artist who has used appropriation or referenced another artist or work art? of Provide evidence to explain your review and rework ideas and images from the past. Contemporary artists often or copy find direct inspiration from artists that precede them. This is RESPONDING RESPONDING create a new workTo art of artists will sometimes SECONDARY INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 9 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning

You may like to consider materials, You themes, artists, Fragile stigmas Social Camouflage Picture perfect ■ ■ ■ ■ The human figure has long been a sourceof inspiration for artists. Compare contemporary works art of that depict the human form to others on display throughout the Gallery. How do these works art of reflect the concerns and ideas the of time in which they were made? Create your own sculpture that responds to one the of followingthemes: ■ ■ ■ ■ After selecting your favourite contemporary work of art locate on display, three other works that you think should be displayed alongside your contemporary choice. Present an exhibition proposal explaining your curatorial decisions. What will your mini display be called and why? TIP era or the location where the works were made.

, 2016, Fremantle,, 2016, Western Australia, wood, bronze, oil paint and pencil, dimensional Merantau - THINK & DISCUSS & THINK If an artist conceives an of idea, but employs a specialist to create the work art, of whose work is it? What is more important idea – or product? image: Abdul‑Rahman Abdullah, Australia, 1977, 85.0 x 80.0 x 490.0 (irreg.); Gift of the Art Gallery of South AustraliaCourtesy Contemporary the artist Collectors Art 2016, Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Today’s artistsToday’s challenge us to ask questions and engage with our world. Create a work art of that engages with a social and cultural issue. works art. of Create your own 4D work art of that responds to an event that occurred in the last year. Time based works such as video, sound art or performance art are referred to as four these characteristics. Include an artist statement with yourwork that explains how your work aligns to this contemporary framework. Create a work art of that embodies at least one of these definitions. In small groups, beginby unpacking the definitions and brainstorming ideas thatwould meet MAKING MAKING Read Lisa Slade’s 5 definitionscontemporaryof art. SECONDARY INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 10 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning , Thames & , Harvard Education Harvard, Education , The University of , Lawrence King Publishing, 2014 Visual ThinkingVisual Strategies How to Read Contemporary Art Ways Looking: of How to Experience What Contemporary is Art? 21st Century21st Art for Kids, Queensland Art Gallery, 2010 Encounters with Contemporary Art: an education kit for the contemporary collection, Art Gallery New of South Wales Smith, T, Chicago Press, Chicago, 2010 Ward, O, Contemporary Art Wilson, M, 2013 Hudson, London, P. Yenawine, Publishing Group, 2014 , , , , Thames and Thames & , 2014‑15, Sydney and, 2014‑15, Ernabella, South Australia, stoneware, earthenware, concrete, bronze, glass, , TATE Publishing, 2014 Publishing, 2014 , TATE Think and Make like an Artist The Wake , Oxford University Press, USA, 2017 What Contemporary is Art? Why that is Art? Aesthetics and Criticism of How to look at art Why your five year old could not have done that Who’s Afraid Contemporary of Art? Awesome! Australian Art Contemporary for Kids Kyung, A, 2017 Hudson, London Klein, J & Klein, S, 2012 Hudson, London, Hodge, S, Thames and Hudson, Great Britain, 2012 Cree, L, Thames and Hudson, Australia, 2002 Hodge, S, Boldt, C & Meredith E, Thames & Hudson, London, 2017 Barrett, T, Contemporary Art? BOOKS & EDUCATION RESOURCES of South Australia Contemporary Collectors Art 2016, Gallery Melbourne of SouthSTATION, Australia, Adelaide, Courtesy the artist, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney and image: Nell, Australia, 1975, underglaze, glaze, polyurethane, varnish, acrylic paint, enamelleaf, paint, gold leaf, spray copper, glitter, paint, wood, fabric branches,paint, (dimensionspigment, varnish, variable); oxide, Gift bondcrete, of John andand Jane Cathy decals, Ayers, Cameron, silver Candy Chris Bennett Cuthbertand Edwina and Lehmann, Sally Dan‑Cuthbert, Andrew RickVivienne and Jan Sharpe, Frolich, Julian Rae‑Ann and Stephanie Sinclair Grose, and Nigel Jane Williams, Michell, Paul Brenda and Thelma Shanahan, Taliangis, Lisa and Peter Weeks and Dr Terry Wu, through the Art Gallery RESOURCES RESOURCES INTERPRETIVE RESOURCE | Learning at the Gallery | Art Gallery of South Australia 11 artgallery.sa.gov.au/learning , Festival of TARNANTHI , 2016, Sydney, screen‑print, 2016, on linen, canvas and lamé, digital Ways of Looking of Ways Framework http://bit.ly/2j1BNtl It’s Not Art – Caitin Eyre(Fineprint) http://bit.ly/2zqa5QV Museum Contemporary of Art http://bit.ly/2gSJtwF Sydney Morning Herald + The Age + Canberra Times + BrisbaneTimes | Spectrum | Review John by McDonald http://bit.ly/2zq6pyH Sydney Morning Herald Review: Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Art http://bit.ly/2z9Sopa PointsTalking Contemporary Visual Arts 2013–2014 (Australia Council) http://bit.ly/2ylLEUV TARNANTHI http://bit.ly/2zQPAOd The Ramsay Prize http://bit.ly/2hvYzZN Sarah Contos Presents: The Long Kiss Goodbye

James & Diana Ramsay Foundation Ramsay for the 2017 Art Prize, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide image: Sarah Contos, Australia, born 1978, printed fabrics and various found fabrics, PVC, poly‑fil, glass, ceramic and plastic beads, thread, artists’ gloves;610.0330.0 x x 25.0 cm; Gift of the In Daily – The turbulent world the of art prize http://bit.ly/2gUqNfV http://bit.ly/2xLvv6z Introducing Formal Analysis – The Getty http://bit.ly/2xM7Wuo http://bit.ly/2lCCop6 The Conversation + InDaily | Arts + Culture | James Moss Contemporary Art and the Role Interpretation of by Helen Charman and Michaela Papers Ross – Tate http://bit.ly/2iU8EDo Art Story, The http://bit.ly/2xNi4TO http://ab.co/2lGiBFl Art Gallery New of South Wales – Contemporary Art Contemporary Art http://bit.ly/2hx5xOe A Creative Guide to Contemporary Art (ABC Splash) WEBSITES & VIDEOS Art21 – Getting started: Anintroduction with to Teaching RESOURCES RESOURCES