“SUBTEXT: artists and writing”
Vernon Ah Kee, Pablo Helguera, Lily Hibberd, Helen Johnson, Darren Sylvester and Tris Vonna-Michell
28 Jan → 19 Feb 2011
Subtext presents a small window onto the diversity of form and the significance of writing in art. Works by six international and Australian artists who are interested in the ways in which writing activates practice were invited to participate, with works that suggest the wealth of ways in which text is an integral part of the creative process, and a force for producing or suggesting content or negotiating subject matter.
Writing is pervasive across the practice of Pablo Helguera, and in the performance scripts and installations of Tris Vonna-Michell. Audiences are not generally privy to the notated research that comprises the background to Helen Johnson’s images, and know little of Darren Sylvester’s short narratives, which have taken different forms including contextual scenarios for photographs to song lyrics. Vernon Ah Kee’s agit-prop-style statements, found and penned by the artist, have been a consistent thread in his practice. Similarly, extensive texts authored by Lily Hibberd have been central to a practice that she has manifest variously as performance, and more recently as books, and in audio and video works.
Subtext is presented by un Projects and is the second stage of events generated to further investigate the manifold approaches to writing undertaken by artists within studio and exhibition practice.
Vernon Ah Kee was born in North Queensland and is of the Kuku Yalandji, Waanji, Yidindji and Gugu Yimithirr peoples, and lives and works in Brisbane. Ah Kee received his doctorate in Visual Arts from Queensland College of the Arts in 2007. His work is primarily a critique of Australian popular culture, specifically the black/white dichotomy. This subject appears most literally in a conceptual use of text that combines a combative writing style with a strong visual sense, and takes other forms in drawings and video works. Ah Kee has exhibited in group and solo shows, and currently lectures on contemporary Australian Indigenous art at Queensland College of Arts. Solo exhibitions have included Artspace, Sydney and the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane in 2008. His work was included in the 2008 Biennale of Sydney and at the 2009 Venice Biennale he was represented in Once Removed, a curated group show of Australia of early career artists.
Lily Hibberd is a Naarm/Melbourne based artist whose practice encompasses both visual and text-based work in a range of forms, often exploring perceptions of memory, time and contemporary narratives. Her texts and scripts are frequently central to installations that also employ moving images, painting, photography, performance and sound to dramatic effect. Hibberd was the founding editor of un Magazine and managing editor 2004–2006, and holds a PhD from Monash University.
Helen Johnson is interested in art as a social tool and as a means of inciting discussion and raising questions. Her art practice centres on the making of meaning using painting, and also includes writing and curating.
Darren Sylvester's practice encompasses video, sculpture, and performance-based work. He is best known for his carefully staged and emotive photographic tableaux.
Tris Vonna-Michell is a writer.