From Here, for Now

From Here, for Now begins with Australia’s outback as a signifier of national identity, connecting this with American stereotypes of outsiders, and hidden histories, through works by Charlene Carrington, Rosemary Laing, Robert Macpherson, Richard Prince and Kaylene Whiskey.

Personal identity is explored in the diary-like art of Ghada Amer, Tracey Emin, Sally M Nangala Mulda, Nell and Jenny Watson, highlighting the political in everyday experiences, while the human body and selfhood are examined in works by Louise Bourgeois, Alberto Giacometti, Antony Gormley, Janet Laurence, Mike Parr and Pablo Picasso.

Works by Vernon Ah Kee, Marco Fusinato and Ai Weiwei convey both political urgency and a lack of agency, while a collaborative work by Marion Gaemers, Lynnette Griffiths, Florence Gutchen, Racy Oui-Pitt and Ellarose Savage from the Torres Strait Islands is a powerful lament for our environment.

Words are employed to direct effect in works by Janet Burchill and Jennifer McCamley, Raquel Ormella, and Richard Tipping, which use the language of commercial signage, protest banners and road signs to grab and hold our attention.

From Here, for Now in the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ historic South Building also features two new art commissions for the Sydney Modern Project: Simryn Gill’s major work Clearing, responding to elements of the natural history of the site, and Richard Lewer’s suite of drawings which, along with his multi-panel painting in the new building, record some of the individuals involved in constructing the expanded campus.

The dates for this exhibition have changed, and parts of the exhibition will open after 5 November 2022. The Art Gallery apologises for any inconvenience.