From Sharne Wolff…
Putting aside the recent babbling commentary about the merits of showing private collections in public institutions, Go East: The Gene and Brian Sherman Contemporary Asian Collection is certainly worth a look. Exhibited across two sites, the exhibition encompasses thirty works from twenty artists in ten countries. While much of the work is displayed on the first floor of the Art Gallery of NSW, Lin Tianmiao’s Badges hang inside the foyer and make a striking introduction to the show. Also on the ground floor is the arresting presence of Public Notice 2 by India’s Jitish Kallat. Comprised of boned-shaped letters on a striking yellow background, the letters spell out a speech by Mahatma Ghandi made in 1930 during the Indian independence movement.
In the main exhibition, an aesthetically diverse range of works reflects the socio-political concerns of the artists. They include Ai Wei Wei’s Overcoat 2009, in homage to Marcel Duchamp and the newly commissioned An Archive comprising a large wooden crate containing thousands of rice paper sheets that detail (in Chinese calligraphy) the artist’s social media commentary between 2005-13. At Sherman Contemporary Chinese Bible – a single work that comprises an installation of over 3000 second-hand diaries – is the creation of Chinese performance artist Yang Zhichao.
Until 26 July at AGNSW and until August 1 at SCAF
Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney and Sherman Contemporary At Foundation, Paddington
Pic: Jitish Kalat Public Notice 2, Resin, 4,479 sculptural units Ediiton 2/3 Display dimensions variable. Courtesy The Gene and Brian Sherman Collection, and Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation, Sydney. Photo: Hangar Biocca, Milan.
