“Our SafARI 2016 program presents an important capsule of independent and emerging Australian art practices that are so essential to the arts as well as to the wider cultural ecologies. Much like the Kings Cross area, practices and spaces are evolving, developing and surviving in new ways under duress. We are so eager to be presenting this program of exhibitions, events and happenings to international, Australian and local community audiences from all walks.”
– Louise Dibben, Co-Curator SafARI 2016
Anna Madeleine, Submarine cable map (work in progress), 2016, EL wire and electronic components, dimensions variable
Since its inception in 2004, SafARI has provided international visitors to the ‘Biennale of Sydney’ an opportunity to experience alternative, often inaccessible venues that are the breeding ground of future creative generations – the Artist Run Initiatives (ARIs, hence the name) and independent Sydney venues.
At a time when Sydney hosts its most important international visual arts event, SafARI augments the dynamism of the visual arts landscape by reminding us of where it all begins and pays homage to these grassroot initiatives.
Running from 11 to 26 March, SafARI 2016 will showcase the work of 26 emerging and unrepresented artists presenting a variety of contemporary multi-disciplinary practices spanning sound, installation, text, digital/online, and performance, across multiple venues and platforms throughout Kings Cross and Paddington.
SafARI 2016 will see feature exhibitions at Kudos Gallery, ALASKA Projects and The Cross Art Projects. Their online venue Runway will house the work of three artists, Jesse Dyer (VIC), Grace Blake and Danny Wild (ACT). More happenings and events are scheduled in between shows at other key Kings Cross and Potts Point venues.
Participating artists include: Amalia Mayor (NSW), Dominic Kirkwood (NSW), Danielle Zorbas (NSW), Ben Chadbond (NSW) David Attwood (WA), Philippe Vranjes (VIC), Guillaume Savy (VIC), Claudia Nicholson (NSW), Matthew Linde (VIC), Anna Madeleine (NSW), Tamara Kohler (VIC), Sarah Poulgrain and Llewellyn Millhouse (QLD), Undrawing the Line (NSW), Megan Clune and Angela Goh (Tiger Tiger) (NSW), Emily O’Connor (NSW), Catherine Clayton-Smith (NSW), Eloise Kirk (NSW), Jana Hawkins-Andersen (NSW), Angela Garrick (NSW), Peter Nelson (NSW), Jamie Lewis (VIC), Hana Hoogedeure (NSW), Akira and Nathan Lasker (NSW), Undrawing the Line (NSW), and Megan Hales (VIC).
SafARI 2016 presents and explores the ways that innovative and critical artists and ARI’s produce and exhibit within an expensive and efficient city like Sydney. In a time where Biennales and Art Fairs have to be astute and market driven, initiatives like ours are proud to be reflective and responsive. The current emerging and independent practices in Australia produce a varied but connected series of works where lines of process, sociality and connection are drawn.
SafARI
11 to 26 March 2016
Sydney
