We used to talk about love: Balnaves contemporary: photomedia

By Sharne Wolff

We used to talk about love is the 7th in the series of contemporary exhibitions supported by the Balnaves Foundation and held at the AGNSW. Curator Natasha Bullock’s display takes the viewer on a journey through a new gallery space specifically designed to represent four broad ideas. It commences by putting the body under the spotlight in ‘To begin with the flesh’ and winds up with the ominously titled ‘Filthy crushing ending’. Each space addresses different aspects of the – perpetually interesting, but always challenging – subject matter of ‘love’.

The language of love has been expressed over centuries in all art forms and, of course, in painting. This exhibition takes a new tack and concentrates on how the subject of love has been revealed in contemporary visual art – specifically in photography, photomedia, collage, sculpture and multi media installation. Eleven artists are represented here. Although some have international practices, each has strong ties to Australia but despite the national connection, the universal nature of love, as an emotion felt by all, gives this show a worldly outlook. The focus on contemporary photomedia also provides a platform for some interesting artists to get a look-in. Angelica Mesiti, David Rosetzky, Justene Williams and Grant Stevens each represent one of this show’s conceptual approaches in video. The show ends with artist Tim Silver’s life-size body cast made from watercolour pigment. Accompanying photographs will document the sculpture’s slow decay and leave the viewer to ponder the lasting nature of love. Other artists represented include Polly Borland, Paul Knight, Darren Sylvester, David Noonan, Eliza Hutchison and Glenn Sloggett.

Until 21 April Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney.

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Pic: Justene Williams, Milk seeped in bread and rocked the leg (till) 2012-13, 7-chanel HD video installation: 7 projectors, 2 pine shelves, pine table, 3 pine step/seats, white bread, pillows. Dimensions variable. Image courtesy the artist, Sarah Cottier Gallery and the AGNSW.