By Jesse Graham
AN expansive exhibition exploring disguises, deception and masking is currently filling the halls of TarraWarra Museum of Art.
The TarraWarra Biennial, Whisper in My Mask, opened on 16 August, and will run through until 16 November, with over 20 hand-picked artists contributing to the exhibition.
Natalie King and Djon Mundine OAM will be curating the exhibition, which features a number of indigenous and non-indigenous artists and themes exploring the idea of masking.
“It’s about secret hidden narratives, local mysteries and otherworldliness – we’re using it as a trigger,” Ms King said.
“We’re looking at the exhibition not being a static event, but exploring artists doing a performance, the residue of the performance and documentation, all being absorbed into it.”
Artists exhibiting as part of the biennial include Daniel Boyd, Soren Dahlgaard, Karla Dickens, Gabriella Mangano and Silvana Mangano, Polixeni Papapetrou, the Tjanpi Desert Weavers and more.
A number of different mediums will be used to portray the artists’ works, with film, painting, photography and live performances making up the exhibition.
TWMA Director, Victoria Lynn, said the exhibition explores these deep themes through visual and sensory works.
“This year’s biennial features both timely political gestures about the masking of history, as well as a more mysterious interest in hidden personas, ghosts and telepathy,” she said.
“…The exhibition also embraces a broad sense of community that encompasses not only the local Yarra Valley, but also the significant indigenous communities across Australia.”
A number of events will be held throughout the course of the biennial, including a number of performances and talks on October 19 with various artists and Ms King and a poetry reading.
The opening of the biennial next weekend is timed to coincide with the Melbourne Art fair, which runs from 13-17 August at the Royal Exhibition Building.
For more information, visit www.twma.com.au, call 5957 3100 or visit the museum at 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Healesville.
