Exhibitions
Life in Your Hands: art from solastalgia
2012 - 2013
Solastalgia is a phenomenon recognised and identified, by Professor Glenn Albrecht, as a form of homesickness you have when you haven’t left home. It can arise from a variety of causes such as technology, ecological change, economic change, political decisions and changes to the community. People become 'disturbed' by solastalgia but because it is not sudden and traumatic, a 'problem' is not always recognised or treated.
This touring exhibition project looked at the causes and effects of solastalgia, and the potential for contemporary visual art, craft and design practice to contribute to debate and healing.
Artists from across Australia were asked to consult and work with communities suffering from solastalgia to create works specifically for the exhibition.
A gallery project curated by Robyn Daw and toured by Museums and Galleries NSW with support from the Contemporary Touring Initiative.
Melinda Young Arborescence (detail) 2012, found wood, artificial plant foliage, oxidised 925 silver, ruby, garnet carnelian, jasper, labradorite, aventurine, jade, smoky quartz, tourmaline, opal, stone, glass, paint, waxed linen thread © the artist
Tour Dates
- 30 March – 13 May 2012
- Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery
New South Wales - 1 June – 29 July 2012
- Horsham Regional Art Gallery
Victoria - 6 October – 28 October 2012
- Signal Point Gallery
South Australia - 17 November – 22 December 2012
- Object: Australian Centre for Design
New South Wales - 28 March – 11 May 2013
- Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre
Australian Capital Territory - 1 June – 27 July 2013
- Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum
Queensland - 9 August – 6 October 2013
- Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Queensland
Public Programs
To reinforce the collaborative and consultative nature of the project, we supported public programs in each venue. Artists and members of the project team participated in forums or practical workshops.
Catalogue Essays
The catalogue essays outline the collaborative process of the project as well as the background and meaning of solastalgia.
