States and Senses

States and Senses

An exhibition featuring artists Sylvia Griffin, Brooke Leigh, Markela Panegyres, Janet Passehl (U.S.) and Cecilia White.
Kudos Gallery – 6 Napier St, Paddington NSW 2021
1 – 18 May 2019
Curated by Brooke Leigh

States and Senses  is an interdisciplinary exhibition that explores intense emotional states that  are often suppressed —such as grief, rage, loss, fear and anguish – and their drivers. By drawing on wide ranging experiences of vulnerability––a term commonly associated with reduced agency––the artists in this exhibition cultivate a space for reflection, contemplation and identification.

States and Senses features new work by critically acclaimed U.S. artist, Janet Passehl and Sydney-based artists, Sylvia Griffin, Brooke Leigh, Markela Panegyres and Cecilia White who each navigate difficult emotional and sensory terrain through different performative practices. Particularly concerned with female perspectives, these artists engage the(ir) body as subject in order to contribute to a growing, globally urgent, examination of challenging social and (inter)personal experiences.

The context of the current international upsurge of new feminist movements––such as #metoo and #TimesUp–– supports the view that the hidden or silenced voice is of critical social and personal importance. There have also been a number of recent exhibitions dedicated to states of mental health––such as The Big Anxiety Festival (UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, 2017), ––and trauma and healing––such as The Fate Of Things: Memory Objects and Art (Jewish Museum Sydney, 2018-2019). States and Senses understands the need to find ways to live differently, and this exhibition could not be more relevant to a conversation that provokes, challenges, and encourages reflection on (inter)personal connection, understanding and validation.

Artists talks: Saturday 18 May from 1-3pm

Main Photo: Ellen Dahl
Other photos: Jacquie Manning

For more information:
arc.unsw.edu.au