SafARI 2010

Nils Crompton Former Corner Stores 2009, still from DVD animation

SafARI 2010 champions emerging artists and artist-run initiative spaces during the opening weeks of the Biennale of Sydney.

SafARI 2010, the ‘unofficial’ fringe exhibition to the Biennale of Sydney, will exhibit the work of 14 emerging artists across four of Sydney’s Artist-Run Initiative (ARI) galleries during the opening weeks of the Biennale of Sydney this May. While the Biennale presents the work of the established heavy weights of the art world, SafARI connects viewers with grass roots art practice; drawing attention to the crucial role ARIs play in fostering creative talent.

“SafARI 2010 is going to be somewhat mad, where anything is possible,” says co-curator Lisa Corsi, “the majority of the artists are refreshingly unknown, engaging and deeply clever”.

Following a national call for submissions, the artists selected for SafARI 2010 hail from Sydney, Lismore, Melbourne and Adelaide. Their practices range from sculpture to painting, performance, public interventions, installation, photography, collage and design. Some of the works are playful, others are deeply provocative. Some engage with dark humour, while many simply indulge in the madness of creation. The strength of the exhibition lies in the diversity of styles, mediums and ideas presented. Co-curator, Danielle Hairs says, “SafARI is a celebration of the bold new paths being forged at the grass roots level.”

A series of public programs – including the SafARI Forum with Peter Fay and an ARI Walking Tour – add to the festive and informative spirit of SafARI. (See following page for details.)

ARTISTS – Nils Crompton, Karla Dickens, Will French, Biljana Jancic, Marius Jastkowiak, Leahlani Johnson, Sue-Ching Lascelles, Vince and Vaughan O’Connor, Caroline Phillips, Tom Polo, Jason Sims, Rolande Souliere, Chris Town and Linda Wilken. CO-CURATORS – Lisa Corsi and Danielle Hairs, with Alex Maciver.

Artist Run Initiatives –
MOP Projects, 2/39 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale NSW;
Firstdraft Gallery, 116-118 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills NSW;
Locksmith Project Space, 6 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW;
Special performance at Serial Space, 33 Wellington Street, Chippendale NSW.
Also exhibiting in the windows of FBi Radio, 44-54 Botany Road, Alexandria, NSW 2016.

When… Wednesday 5 to Sunday 30 May 2010 *MOP Projects and Firstdraft Gallery closes Sunday 23 May 2010)
Official Opening Night at MOP Projects Friday 7 May Serial Space performances only at 9:30pm, 7 May; and 2:30pm, 9 May 2010. ALL GALLERY HOURS: 12-6pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

SafARI Public Programs
SafARI Opening: 6-8pm, Friday 7 May 2010
MOP Projects, 2/39 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
Artist Talks and ARI Walking Tour: 11am–3pm, Sunday 9 May 2010
Starting at FBi Radio, 44-54 Botany Road, Alexandria, NSW Alexandria
Then onto Locksmith (11:30am), MOP (12:30pm), Firstdraft (1:40pm) and Serial Space
(2:30pm); with Performance by Vince and Vaughan O’Connor at Serial Space at 2:30pm.

SafARI Forum: 2-4pm, Saturday 15 May 2010
Firstdraft Gallery, 116-118 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills

Keynote speaker, Peter Fay, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to issues relating the career path of the ‘emerging’ artist. Why go to art school? What are the dangers of the commercial gallery system? What can be learnt from ‘outsider’ models? This will be followed by a panel discussion led by SafARI board member Edwina Marks and Prof. Ross Woodrow (Deputy Director, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University).

Closing Party: 6-8pm, Saturday 22 May 2010
Locksmith Project Space, 6 Botany Road, Alexandria

Visit www.safari.org.au (website live 17 April)