They demonstrate a commitment to exploring the limits of their imagination, they have had to test all their assumptions about the nature of the art world and their place in it, and they have had to become flexible and agile in their approaches. for solving and making problems. artwork. And they have made a commitment to explore the kind of work that is about a long-term creative and critical engagement with their art practices, not simply driven by the production of individual cultural artefacts alone. It is this innovative approach to a sustained engagement with the art world that leads to the diverse, sophisticated and sometimes challenging works on display in this exhibition.
Through practice-led research across a range of media, the five artists in this exhibition are primarily informed by active engagement with materials and process, by constantly shifting and reworking unique strategies and approaches to contemporary visual art. By manipulating existing sets of visual and cultural sign systems, Russell negotiates a line between specificity of original idea and accessibility of experience in the final outcome, developing a conceptually-driven, material-based practice that seeks to bridge a space between highbrow - cube posture and straight play. Once caught in Russell's attention, an obscure footnote from the canon of art history becomes the subject of his purposeful reworking.
Russell fully understands the danger inherent in this kind of overthinking: of losing his audience in the mire of critical theory, so he offers permission to participate in the highly generalized final product, with its moments of humor suddenly and his points. most obvious reference. Elizabeth Willing's white cube practice has its clear point of reference in the brazen rethinking of food. With a starting point in her natural attraction to the formlessness and malleable sensuality of commercially available confectionary goods, Willing moves towards critical inquiries into the implications of an artist engaging with loose and ephemeral materials, on traditional conservation and museum expectations, on notions of private versus public rituals of consumption, on theories of relational art and particular kinds of social interactions in the gallery space, and on feminist readings surrounding families and crafts.
Danielle Woolbank's investigations into contemporary spaces of femininity are mediated through live acts in public art shows and through studio video performances where gender and identity are explored through manipulations of sound, moving images and collage.
Stephen Russell
Erika Scott
DanieLLe Woolbank
Boxcopy is an artist-led initiative (ARI) dedicated to supporting the experimental and innovative practices of young and emerging Queensland artists. Based in Brisbane, it offers performances that encourage critical engagement with art that explores a diverse range of media, ideas and approaches to contemporary artistic practices. Boxcopy believes that artists who experiment and challenge conventional expectations of art play a vital role in maintaining a strong and vibrant Queensland arts community and actively support art that seeks to offer new perspectives on contemporary themes and issues.
Boxcopy is currently led by eight co-directors who all play an equal role in developing the creative vision and direction for the ARI and its projects. Founded by six Visual Arts (Honours) graduates from Queensland University of Technology, it was established to address the lack of exhibition and networking opportunities for young graduates and emerging artists in Brisbane. From an early stage, the ARI developed a strong ethos to focus on the process of artistic development rather than commercial gain, and to provide emerging artists with free resources and opportunities.
A strong commitment to presenting highly experimental and challenging approaches to contemporary art practice also developed from the range of shows presented, with installation-based work including video, performance, sound and other forms of technology. In 2008, Boxcopy was successfully selected for a newly established Artist Run Initiative residency program at Metro Arts, Brisbane. It also established an auxiliary exhibition program called Boxcopy: Ensuite, with the aim of staging visual art events in non-gallery venues.
These events further encourage collaboration between emerging artists, curators and writers, and as a result provide additional support for interdisciplinary art practices. Previous projects that have been part of the Boxcopy: Ensuite program include: 'I Want to Believe', a group exhibition as TCB Centre, Fortitude Valley; 'The Art Resort' at the OUT Art Museum, Brisbane; and 'Great Expectations', a large-scale project part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival in Melbourne. In 2009, Boxcopy will continue to present exhibitions that challenge art conventions and expectations through experimentation, in their new city center location, continuing to contribute to the dynamism and diversity of Brisbane's art scene.
No Frills* is a space where artists and the public can engage critically and socially in the informed practice of contemporary art. No Frills* engages audiences with new work through public exhibitions and complementary programs, including on-site exhibitions, public forums and artist talks. No Frills* currently operates as part of the Metro Arts Artist-Run Initiative Program, providing No Frills* with permanent space and support until June 2010.
McNamara I Mark Pennings I Courtney Pederson I Charles Robb I
