30 new graduates will exhibit their work as part of the 27th Hatched: National Graduate Show at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) from 19 May 2018.
Curated by Eugenio Viola, the Hatched: National Graduate Show features work by recent arts graduates of the highest calibre rigorously selected from 22 tertiary institutions representing each of Australia’s states and territories.
The exhibition examines the pulse of the nation’s emerging arts practices while acting as an important platform for artistic careers. Many of Australia’s leading artists including Shaun Gladwell, Julie Dowling and Khaled Sabsabi have exhibited their work in Hatched.
Students are nominated by their school and the final selection is made by an industry panel. This year’s panel included artist Agatha Gothe-Snape; Annika Kristensen (Senior Curator, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art); Fang-Wei Chang (Senior Curator, Taipei Fine Arts Museum) and Eugenio Viola (Senior Curator, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts).
Panelist Agatha Snape was struck by works that displayed a sense of energy and exuberance while turning a critical eye towards society and the act of cultural production. “The artists of our future must understand their own biographical and cultural history and artistic lineage, and be able to articulate the politics and ethics that drive their desire to make work,” she said.
Impressed with the high level of artistic practice demonstrated by the nominees across a rich variety of media, approaches and forms, Fang-Wei Chang commented that many works concerned identity issues such as gender, immigration and minority groups in society, and were responding to Australian history as well as current geopolitics.
Working across painting, sculpture, installation, performance, sound and video, the 30 graduate artists will take over the PICA galleries, offering visitors an insight into the freshest ideas in Australian contemporary art.
“Expect creativity, originality, sensitivity and dexterity from each of the nominated graduates who, in their own distinct ways, tackle ideas from the environment to society, identity to technology, with sophistication, perception and occasionally, humour,” said Annika Kristensen.
For the ninth consecutive year the Schenberg Art Fellowship, which increased to $40,000 last year, will be awarded to one exceptional artist as a major investment in their burgeoning career. PICA is proud to be working with the University of Western Australia, in particular UWA’s Cultural Precinct, on this significant award for emerging artists. The winner will be announced at the opening night celebration on Friday 18 May.
“Hatched is a significant means by which PICA supports emerging Australian artists,” says PICA Director Amy Barrett-Lennard. “Hatched frequently provides artists with their first opportunity to present work within a supportive and professional public gallery environment as well as an instant network of peers across the country. The impact of these experiences cannot be underestimated.”
In what has become something of a PICA tradition, the Hatched opening night is a free party featuring live entertainment and an outdoor bar. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy an unforgettable night of art, food and entertainment, along with the opportunity to meet and celebrate these extraordinary artists.
Hatched: National Graduate Show 2018
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) – Perth Cultural Centre, 51 James Street, Northbridge
Exhibition: 19 May – 15 July 2018
Free admission
For more information, visit: www.pica.org.au for details.
Image: Dean Cross, Best We Forget: The Yowie, video still, 2017 – courtesy of the artist