MCA Unpacked II

Six Australian artists selected from the MCA collection

The second in the MCA’s Unpacked exhibition series invites six Australian artists to select works from the Museum’s collections which reflect their personal and professional interests.

The six Australian artists, with diverse practices and at different stages in their careers, are Bruce Armstrong, Julie Dowling, Joan Grounds, Michelle Nikou, Ken Unsworth and William Yang. Presenting over 115 works by leading Australian and internaional artists, each selection is displayed independently.

MCA Unpacked aims to open the MCA’s collections up to diverse perspectives and interpretations. Displays selected by artists not only profile the collection in unusual ways but reflect in some way the artistic practice and interests of the selector.

Artists/curators

Bruce Armstrong's selection of works incorporates bird motifs and representations similar to the animal forms often seen in his work reflecting an interest in the art and beliefs of past civilisations.

Julie Dowling draws inspiration for her paintings from her family, culture and Nyoogar-Yamatji community, in Western Australia, to present stories of herself, her relatives and ancestors. Dowling's paintings, often accompanied or including text-based elements, utilise a dramatic form of realism, incorporating strong colour and decorative techniques. Reflecting her own interest in narrative, Dowling has said her selection forms an "essay in colonialism and identity, its core sentiment is isolation and remoteness".

Joan Grounds' diverse practice spans over 40 years. Often relating to contemporary social issues Grounds is best-known for her performance, sound-based works, installations and film work. Grounds' selections, not based around a particular theme or genre, are by artists whose practice she has watched develop over time. Grounds' has included works by Australian artists Aleks Danko, Mikala Dwyer, Tim Johnson, Susan Norrie and Jenny Watson.

Michelle Nikou, a young sculptor and mixed media artist, took as her starting point works with text based elements, and included artists Rosalie Gascoigne, Ed Ruscha and Robert Rauschenberg in her selection. Nikou sought out works that respresent her appreciation of object-based art and work that is expressive.

Ken Unsworth is one of Australia's most renowned artists with a career spanning over 30 years, Unsworth practice has incorporated sculpture, performance, painting, drawing and installation to examine elements of nature and the human condition. His selection, explores European art tradition and their relationship to Australian practice.

William Yang, photographer, performance artist and writer has been practicing since the late 1960s. His chosen works for this show concentrate on photography. Exploring themes of intimacy and interiors through both the works he has chosen and his own photographs.

This exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, a Commonwealth Government Program.

Touring venues

Bendigo Art Gallery, NSW
31 January 2004 – 7 March 2004

Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery, NSW
13 February 2004 – 27 March 2004

Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, VIC
2 March 2004 – 4 April 2004

University of South Australia Art Museum, SA
10 June 2004 – 18 July 2004

Orange Regional Art Gallery, NSW
13 August 2004 – 26 September 2004

Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, NSW
25 September 2004 – 21 November 2004

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