Tuesday 28 October 2014
'Made possible by the Chartwell Trust, the highly respected long-time Gallery and contemporary art supporters, A world undone: Works from the Chartwell Collectionpresents an exciting selection of artworks that challenge the traditional roles of painting, sculpture and installation,' says Auckland Art Gallery Director, Rhana Devenport.
'Chartwell has been unwavering in its commitment to promoting contemporary visual arts practice, its processes and its significance to general creative thinking. By working to undo preconceptions of what the 'art object' is,' says Devenport, 'the artists of A world undone demonstrate the potential of art to connect us in ever changing ways with the world.'
The exhibition displays a sample of recent acquisitions by the Chartwell Collection. It presents the largest survey of international contemporary artworks represented in a Chartwell exhibition, as well as those by New Zealand artists.
'A world undone signals the Chartwell Collection's growing global scope,' says Auckland Art Gallery Acting Curator, Contemporary Art, Stephen Cleland. 'It contains major acquisitions, such as American artist Jessica Stockholder's sculpture A-H, 2013, and A World Undone, a 2012 video by Australian artist Nicholas Mangan, alongside editions by some of the world's foremost artists including John Baldessari, Dan Flavin, Bernd and Hilla Becher, and Christian Marclay.'
The exhibition also features installations by leading New Zealand artists. Peter Robinson's Ritual and Formation, 2013, is a striking sculpture comprising hundreds of black, white and grey felt pieces and multi-toned poles that contrasts order with chance. Andrew Barber's The Sea, 2013/14 comprises a large-scale floor painting that appears to hover off the ground as the eyes struggle to focus between its positive and negative bands of colour. Daniel Crooks' An Embroidery of Voids, 2013, is a mesmerising, hypnotic video work that pulls its viewer deep into the lanes and alleyways of another world.
With sculpture, painting, prints, installation and video works from 26 artists, A world undone demonstrates the wide range of art practices today and invites its audience to engage its imagination.
'Chartwell sees the Collection as a tool with which to stimulate new ideas, opening the mind and expanding the creative functions of the brain,' says Chartwell Trust spokesperson Sue Gardiner. 'We all have capacity for inventive, productive and original thought within the realms of art: a skill transferable to all activities in life.'
The Chartwell Collection has been under the guardianship of the Gallery since 1997 and comprises 1491 works to date and growing.
A world undone: Works from the Chartwell Collection is exhibited from 8 November 2014 until 6 April 2015. Level 2 - FREE entry.
Supporting partner:
Artists:
Hany Armanious, John Baldessari, Andrew Barber, Bernd and Hilla Becher, Eddie Clemens, Martin Creed, Daniel Crooks, Günther Fӧrg, Richard Frater, Dan Flavin, Matt Hinkley, Gavin Hipkins, Amy Howden-Chapman, Denise Kum, Patrick Lundberg, Nicholas Mangan, Gabriella and Silvana Mangano, Christian Marclay, Dane Mitchell, Robert Rauschenberg, Peter Robinson, Theo Schoon, Jim Speers, Jessica Stockholder, Richard Tuttle and Rohan Wealleans.
For more information please contact:
Tae Allison
Communications Officer
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
P +64 9 307 7706
M +64 27 291 9953
E tae.allison@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz