The Paul Selzer Exhibition finds power in lifting the stone
In a world where art often reflects on convergent themes, the 2023 Paul Selzer Exhibition and Prize - now on display at the Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery – stands as a testament to the power of diversity and individual perspectives.
Since its inception, the Paul Selzer Exhibition and Prize has played a vital role in nurturing and commissioning new works by mid-career contemporary artists and alumni of VCA Art. This highly anticipated event grants a $25,000 prize to one of the exhibiting artists to support their studio practice.
Featuring the exceptional work of four artists – Kay Abude, Nusra Qureshi, Trent Crawford, and Lisa Waup – the exhibition explores a wide range of human experiences through various conceptual ambitions, materials, and artistic processes.
David Sequeria, Director of the Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery said: "These artists have courageously lifted stones, to shine a light on the often-overlooked nooks and crannies. The profound themes and resonances of their works have a timely impact. In mining their lived experiences each work seems to unearth an entire realm and assert the urgency and immediacy of art.”
One of these works is Kay Abude's 'Smoko Room’, a performance installation exploring the dynamics of labour and inequality within the workforce. Abude has reconstructed the familiar common room found at her second job as a stevedore on Melbourne's docks. Here, Abude presents life as art and comments on the value, effort, and precarity associated with supporting artistic practice.
Nusra Qureshi draws inspiration from her experiences as a migrant artist in Australia to explore the complexities of identity and loss in a post-colonial world. In her digital collages that are printed on velvet, Qureshi rearranges remnants of objects, desires, and memories, giving voice to profound feelings of cultural longing.
Trent Crawford's commission redefines historical shifts in artistic practice by repurposing images found in the PhD thesis of Kate Daw, former Head of VCA Art. The series of 16 framed works pays homage to the VCA and highlights the institution's ongoing influence on Crawford's worldview.
In addition to their conceptual ambitions, the exhibiting artists have each demonstrated considerable mastery over their materials, employing techniques that add layers of meaning and evoke emotion.
This is evident in Lisa Waup's large-scale installation, 'Mother/Country', which has earned her the $25,000 Selzer Prize this year.
Known for her deep connection to the symbolic power of materials, Waup has carefully manipulated screen-printed cotton rag paper and jute sandbags to draw attention to the vulnerability of Country and the urgent need to protect it.
Beyond their utilitarian nature, the bags that comprise Waup’s installation serve as repositories of memories, traditions, and human experiences. Each bag, adorned with its own distinctive design, tells a story that reflects the objects we carry, the stories we hold, and the connections we share with Country and each other.
Expressing her gratitude for receiving this year's Selzer Prize, Waup said: “I’m still in shock by the announcement. The calibre of the other artists’ work was extremely high, it really could have been anyone of us. I am grateful to the judges and the Selzer family for awarding me this prestigious prize.”
“This money will enable me to dream big, make ambitious works, and push my boundaries, which at times can be limited due to financial constraints. I am extremely excited to see what I create with this incredible opportunity.”
The Paul Selzer Exhibition is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday between 12-5pm, from 30 June – 22 July 2023 and entry is free. The Fiona and Sidney Myer Gallery is located at 40 Dodds Street, Southbank VIC 3006.