Emergent—New Exhibition Highlights Discerning Eye Of Curators From The Pilbara

FORM is proud to present Emergent, an exhibition put together by curators from Aboriginal art centres Cheeditha Art Group, Juluwarlu Art Group, Martumili Artists, Spinifex Hill Studio and Yinjaa-Barni Art, opening to the public at The Goods Shed on 11 February 2022.

Bold and experimental, Emergent is an outcome of FORM’s Emerging Curators Program, and will culminate in March when landmark exhibition ‘Tracks We Share: Contemporary Art of the Pilbara’ launches at The Art Gallery of Western Australia.

This program has engaged artists and arts workers in the end-to-end development of the exhibition. In collaboration with curatorial mentor Tui Raven, curators Corban Clause Williams (Martumili Artists), Lorna Dawson (Spinifex Hill Studio), Layne Dhu-Dickie (Spinifex Hill Studio), Courtney McKay (Juluawarlu Art Group), Kimberley McKie (Spinifex Hill Studio), Sharlene Phillips (Spinifex Hill Studio), Melissa Sandy (Yinjaa-Barni Art) and Wendy Warrie (Cheeditha Art Group) have co-curated an eclectic show celebrating the diverse, complex and innovative creative practice of artists working across the Pilbara.

“The aim of the Emerging Curators Program has been to develop the curatorial skills of art centre workers and artists through the development and presentation of Emergent. Learning anything new can sometimes feel like a lesson in extreme sports; it can be daunting but becomes a lot easier with practice and can be exhilarating when you nail it. This process has resulted in an exhibition that will leave a lasting impression on both audiences and the participating curators.” —Curatorial mentor Tui Raven.

 

Featuring Over 50 Works By More Than 40 Artists

The exhibition features over 50 works by more than 40 artists, including sketched portraits on paper, feathers intricately adorned with acrylic paint, large collaborative canvases, and carved Yarranga Marni boards. From the process of selecting works, to placing these within a gallery context, and giving consideration to what should be published in a catalogue or presented in an accompanying program of events, the curators have focused on showcasing their respective art centres. This singular exhibition is a selection of works by new and emerging artists; established artists who are exploring new techniques; and artists who produce a limited number of works.

Many of the curators are also artists and their involvement in Emergent has provided broader context for the development of their own artistic practice.

Emergent is on display at The Goods Shed from 11 February – 10 April 2022, with all works available for purchase including a selection of unstretched canvases from the participating art centres.

Key Details

WHEN:

11 Feb – 10 Apr 2022

Opening Hours

Gallery: Mon – Sun | 9:00AM – 3:00PM  

Café: Weekdays | 6:30AM – 1:00PM  Weekends | 7:30AM – 3:00PM

WHERE:

The Goods Shed, 4 Shenton Road, Claremont WA 6010

EMERGING CURATORS:

Cheeditha Art Group

Wendy Warrie

Juluwarlu Art Group

Courtney McKay

Martumili Artists 

Corban Williams

Spinifex Hill Studio 

Lorna Dawson

Layne Dhu-Dickie

Kimberley McKie

Sharlene Phillips

Yinjaa-Barni Art 

Melissa Sandy

About Tui Raven

Tui Raven is a multi-skilled creative who specialises in West Australian Indigenous engagement and conveying Indigenous focused content for audiences. Her mission is to creatively engage audiences in content which considers Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing. Tui works as a consultant in the arts, media, online content, research and community engagement. In 2021 Tui curated Collective Ground at The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA), an exhibition of First Nations art from around the State. She is currently engaged by FORM for Tracks We Share and its accompanying Emerging Curators project.

About FORM

FORM is an independent, non-profit arts organisation based in Perth and the Pilbara. FORM works to build a cultural and creative ecology in Western Australia that values artistic excellence, improves arts access for all, and encourages resilient and vibrant communities. The organisation’s activities span high-level artist development, exhibitions, and festivals; place making and strategy; cultural infrastructure development; collaboration with Aboriginal artists and communities; research and advocacy. FORM manages The Goods Shed in Perth and Spinifex Hill Studio and Project Space in South Hedland.

“Having been privileged to work across the Pilbara for more than 15 years, FORM is proud to champion the extraordinary talent that exists there. Emergent is an integral part of the Tracks We Share project, as a showcase of some of the region’s most exciting young and emerging creatives. We have been delighted to support this talented group of artists and arts workers’ expanding professional development within the contemporary arts industry, and we are indebted to Tui Raven for her invaluable guidance and support.” —FORM’s Executive Director Tabitha McMullan