Eight Australian artists have been selected to participate in ‘Primavera 2018: Young Australian Artists‘, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s (MCA) annual showcase of artists under the age of 35 in the early stages of their artistic career.
We congratulate Hoda Afshar (VIC), Caroline Garcia (NSW), Hayley Millar-Baker (VIC), Spence Messih (NSW), Phuong Ngo (VIC), Jason Phu (NSW), Ryan Presley (QLD) and Andrew Tenison (ACT).
‘Primavera 2018’ asks why ‘is identity important today?’ In response to this query the artists consider, explore and re-examine the politics of identity, visibility and representation. Together they present their experiences, ideas and understanding of the complex, social, political and cultural frame-works that underpin the construction and interpretation of personal and collective identity. Working across varied mediums; archival materials, installation, painting, performance, photography, sculpture and video the artists will present their stories in the ‘Primavera’ exhibition which opens at the MCA on 9 November, 2018.
‘Primavera provides an important platform for young artists to share their voices and ideas, while introducing MCA audiences to the most exciting artists working in Australia now. ‘Primavera 2018′ is a timely and thought-provoking exhibition, showcasing eight artists, many of whom will be presenting new works,’ says MCA Director, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE.
Megan Robson curator of the 27th annual showcase says, ‘The artists in this year’s ‘Primavera’ exhibition employ a range of different methodologies including abstraction, collection, fiction, humour and performativity, amongst others, to explore and engage in wider discussions around culture, media, history and politics.’
‘Drawing on personal experiences, invisible histories, post-colonial and queer theory, and technology, the participating artists’ consider identity as a concept that is complex, shifting, manifold and self-reflective,’ she continues.
‘Primavera 2018’ is free to the public and is highlighted with a program of public events including curator and artist talks, performances and tours. A detailed exhibition catalogue is available which features a spread of commissioned texts on each of the 2018 ‘Primavera’ artists.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
9 November, 2018 to 3 February, 2019
Sydney