Deakin graduates reunite to curate new art exhibition

The latest exhibition at the Deakin University Art Gallery, What does this one do?, brings together two Deakin University graduates and four leading Melbourne artists.

Guest curators Carly Grace and Michelle Mountain, who met while studying in Deakin University’s Museum Studies and Cultural Heritage program in 2012-13, have pulled together a range of works that interrogate the relationship between engagement and entertainment.

Both curators have taken time out from their day jobs – Carly as Education Manager at the Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bulleen and Michelle as Gallery Manager at the Centre for Contemporary Photography, Fitzroy – to curate the exhibition of works by artists Keith Wong, Kate Rohde, and collaborators Anna Varendorff with Haima Marriott.

Carly explained that the exhibition was inspired by the pair’s ongoing discussions around audience engagement and roles of arts organisations in Melbourne.

“Recent large-scale exhibitions have cultivated audience expectations of how we participate with art in a gallery space,” Carly said.

“With increased recognition of the visitor and the rise of an audience voiced by social media, what does it actually mean to engage?”

Michelle pointed to specific works in the exhibition as examples of an audience engaging with artwork.

“The large kinetic brass structures of Varendorff and Marriott’s work Bouba offer sound, shadow and light as demarcation of the activity of the visitor,” Michelle said.

“But it’s only when you physically engage with it, move or caress the brass hoops, that its beautiful sounds emanate and you appreciate its potential.

“Meanwhile, Kate Rohde’s psychedelic sculptural forms draw on visual engagement. Rainbow Squirrel is a new take on the display of taxidermy animals which uses epoxy resin, faux fur, glitter, silicon, hair extensions and faux jewels to create a wonderfully whimsical and otherworldly creature.

“And finally, Keith Wong’s Kid’s Commission considers the leveraging of children and families as audience in art museums while Art Gallery Visitor Parking Only questions the various modes and forms of making art accessible.”

Key Dates

What does this one do?

Exhibition launch: Wednesday 3 August at 6pm
Dates: 27 July to 2 September
Location: Deakin University Art Gallery, Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. By appointment on Monday for groups over 10.
Cost: Free entry