string theory: Focus on contemporary Australian art - Museum of ...

MEDIA CONTACT
Kelly Stone
2 9245 2434 or 0429 572 869
kelly.stone@mca.com.au
<strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong>: <strong>Focus</strong> on contemporary
Australian art
16 August – 27 October 2013
Dale Harding, bright eyed little dormitory girls 2013, hessian sacks, mohair wool, image courtesy and © the artist
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) announces <strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong>: <strong>Focus</strong>
on contemporary Australian art, a group exhibition exploring innovative approaches
to fibre and art in a contemporary context.
The presentation brings together over 20 Aboriginal artists from across Australia who work with expanded
notions of textile and craft-based tradition.
The artists and artist groups presented in the exhibition include Tony Albert, Jean Baptiste Apuatimi,
Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art + Culture Studio, Frances Djulibing, Robyn Djunginy, Lola Greeno,
Dale Harding, Thelma Judson, Evelyn McGreen, Lipaki Marlaypa, Dhundunga Mununngurr, Noongar Doll
Makers, Laurie Nilsen, Alison Page, Regina Pilawuk Wilson, Jimmy Pike, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, Tjanpi
Desert Weavers, Vicki West and Yirrkala Printmakers.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Kelly Stone
2 9245 2434 or 0429 572 869
kelly.stone@mca.com.au
<strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong> presents a diverse range of works which engage with textile artistic traditions including
sculpture, photography, painting and video. The exhibition is fore-grounded by the work of Yirrkala artist
Lipaki Marlaypa whose traditional hand-made woven <strong>string</strong> acts as a conceptual starting point.
A number of works in <strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong>, such as those from Ramingining and Yirrkala will become part of the
MCA Collection and have a direct lineage back to the MCA’s history.
One such work, and a pivotal one, a Yukuwa (Yam <strong>string</strong> vine) by Frances Djulibing is a reprise of an
earlier piece that bridges the MCA past and present.
MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE said: ‘<strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong> is a multi-disciplinary contemporary tribute
to the rich textile tradition of Aboriginal artists and takes as its starting point the way in which the MCA‘s
collecting policy has always acknowledged such work as contemporary art.’
A key component of <strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong> is people. People talking and people making. In Dale Harding’s work,
ideas and objects grow out of conversations with the artist’s grandmother and mother, slowly evolving into
artworks that tell the hard truths of Australian history.
The Tjanpi Desert Weavers’ tactile environments are a culmination of discussion, travel across vast
distances and hands-on work between artists and art workers in communities, cities and towns, non-
Indigenous and Indigenous, working together.
The exhibition’s curator Glenn Barkley said: ‘<strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong> is a scientific principle that posits a <strong>theory</strong> of
everything. In the exhibition it implies expansion and connection across time and space, porous and openended
embracing diverse approaches to the idea of ‘fibre’ or craft-based disciplines.’
<strong>string</strong> <strong>theory</strong>: <strong>Focus</strong> on contemporary Australian art is presented in the Level 3 Galleries.
Left: Tony Albert,
Optimism #6 2008, type
C photograph, image
courtesy the artist and
Sullivan + Strumpf,
Sydney © the artist
Right: Lizzie Riley,
Joyce 2004, recycled
clothing, knitting, cotton,
University of Wollongong
Art Collection, image
courtesy the artist,
University of Wollongong
Art Collection and CAN
WA, photograph: Bernie
Fisher © the artist
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