New Exhibition opens in Kandos
The Kangaroo holds a special place in our cultural psyche – from the national emblem, a symbol of pride and economy to a pop culture icon and totem animal of First Nations Australians – this native creature is celebrated internationally as the truest expression of Australia.
However, a dichotomy has developed as the Kangaroo comes under increased threat, through loss of natural habitat, farming practices, encroaching urbanisation and climate crisis to illegal baiting, gun sport and an (unregulated) kangaroo meat industry that represents the largest single sustained massacre of land-based wildlife in the world.
Australia’s relationship with the Kangaroo alters from one of endearment and respect to one of intruders and pests. How can we celebrate this globally recognised fauna, the world’s largest marsupial, when it lays discarded, forgotten as roadkill across the land?
The reading of the Kangaroo in contemporary art is rich in both historical and social narrative. Satirical, absurdist, serious and thought-provoking, What’s That Skip? collectively examines a number of representations ranging from the popular television series ‘Skippy the Bush Kangaroo’ to a neglected, vulnerable creature; from (misplaced) nostalgia and tourist souvenir to the animal as a social and political activist.
What’s That Skip? offers a range of media including painting, print work, sculpture, ceramics, installation, digital, video, textile, repurposed and found objects.
Featured Artists include:
Patti Abela, Brad Allen-Waters, Damien Castaldi & Solange Kershaw, Peter Cooley, Adrienne Doig, Blak Douglas, Maddison Gibbs, June Golland, Fiona Hall, Craig Handley, Gordon Hookey*, Michael Kempson, Fleur MacDonald, Noel McKenna*, Ian Milliss, Roger Law*, Mai Nguyen-Long, Chris O’Doherty (Reg Mombassa), Simon Reece, Reko Rennie*, Joan Ross, Jason Wing, Adeel uz Zafar*.
Artworks on show at WAYOUT Artspace, 71 Angus Ave, Kandos and KANDOS PROJECTS 0(windows), 18 Angus Ave, Kandos, New South Wales from 19 August – 1 October 2023. Public Programs will also include the ‘Great Skippy Bake Off’, guest speakers and craft workshops.
For more information visit www.cementa.com.au
Pictured Top: Your one wild and precious life_Walgett. 2019. June Golland. Courtesy the artist.
Pictured Above: Fluffy the slightly pink Kangaroo. Chris O’Doherty (Reg Mombassa)
