Brenda Colahan Fine Art is thrilled to present Of This Century, an exhibition of quintessential works by some of Australia's most respected trailblazers at home and on the international stage. Including works by Bill Henson, Robert Klippel, Amanda Marburg, Tracey Moffatt, Patricia Piccinini, Gabrielle Pool, and Tommy Watson, this exhibition has been specially curated by BCFA's founder and director, Brenda Colahan who has borne witness to the meteoric rise of these giants of Australia's artistic evolution and innovation over the past twenty-five years.
The arrival of the second millennium marks an important watershed in Australian art history. Announced with the hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, this early 2000s period of economic stability and deeper societal introspection also brought a cultural celebration that was echoed in the studios of the new wave of artists in the region. Engulfing colour, intriguing designs, grand scale, and new materials announced Australia on the world stage. In this show Robert Klippel's revolutionary sculptures stand as monuments to this changing of the guard, and the handing of the baton to the generation of artists who found inspiration in the new Australia. No longer trapped by the cultural cringe of the 20th century, the artists featured in this exhibition exemplify the character, humour, adventurousness, and beauty that captures the imagination and speaks to the soul.
Of This Century invites you into living history. From Klippel and Watson to Piccinini and Pool, this collection is symbolic of the ever-evolving national, cultural, and personal landscape around us. The risks taken by these artists, now rewarded by tremendous domestic and international acclaim, are emblematic of the diverse cultural dialogue that fits the rich, complex society that Australia has become. Piccinini's captivating meditation on value and materiality and Watson's odes to country are not only colourful, but alive, initiating a conversation with us. The drama and experimentation Moffatt and Henson achieve with their cameras push photographic art into the mysterious other worlds while simultaneously shedding new light on our realities. Through distortion, abstraction, texture, process, and scale, Amanda Marburg and Gabrielle Pool's paintings enable us to see the true nature of things more clearly.
Of This Century is not merely a collection of Australia's most recognised artists of recent years, but an informative display of shifting times and deeper understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our world around us.
