Soft Core Exhibition at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

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Sat 15 Oct 2016 - Sun 04 Dec 2016

From a giant inflatable rabbit to busts sculpted from foam, deflated balloons and plastic bubbles, the Soft Core Exhibition invites you to experience a different form of sculpture. Moving away from traditional materials of bronze and stone, the materials used by these artists included air, nylon, plastics, light and sound.



Curated by Michael Do, Soft Core presents works that explore the many facets of softness. While some works use soft materials, others merely appear soft, and some invoke feelings of relaxation, tenderness or softness.

The exhibition is being held at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and showcases thirteen emerging Australian and international artists, namely Tully Arnot, Brook Andrew, Mikala Dwyer, Tully Moore, Tony Oursler, Michael Parekowhai, Patricia Piccinini, Todd Robinson, Koji Ryui, Kathy Temin, Louise Weaver, Simon Yates and Paul Yore.

As you enter the Casula Powerhouse you are confronted by an oversized inflatable rabbit by New Zealand artist Michael Parekowhai. There is a contradiction between his soft and playful nylon exterior and his position, sprawled on his back across the Turbine Hall. It is open to interpretation whether he is sleeping, passed out or dead. Due to its bulk it is difficult to view this work from the ground floor. The best view is from the Turbine Gallery on Level 1.



You will also immediately notice two enormous orb type structures hanging from the roof of the Turbine Hall by artist Brook Andrew. Originally commissioned for The Cutaway at Baranagaroo the orbs are covered with the signature pattern of the artist which is inspired by wood carvings of the Wiradjuri people of New South Wales. The nylon lanterns periodically change colour and bring a sense of festivity to the space.

On the ground level, the Switch Gallery includes works by Todd Robinson, Patricia Piccinini, Louise Weaver, Mikala Dwyer and Koji Ryui.



Mikala Dwyer's work "Empty Sculpture" uses large sheets of clear plastic that have been moulded by hand to create bubbles of trapped air. Four bubbles are empty while one is partially filled and forms the shape of an animal. They appear fragile, ghostly and ephemeral.



Todd Robinson's "Ooooh Aaah" series hangs precariously above the Switch Gallery. The best place to view it is from the Kids Gallery on Level 1. Todd Robinson uses hydrocal, polyester filler, and paint to create balloon like objects that cling, hang and drape from steel supports. Their colourful, soft and limp appearance contrasts sharply with the industrial setting of the Powerhouse which is a grey environment dominated by concrete and steel.



One of the more challenging works is Patricia Piccinini's "Ghost". Created from silicone, fibreglass and human hair it is an unnerving mixture of the familiar and the imagined, appearing to be a misshapen lump of flesh hanging upside down from a warped car tyre.



More of the exhibition is located in the Hopper Gallery which can be found through the glass doors of the corridor. Here you will find works by Mikala Dwyer, Simon Yates, Paul Yore, Tully Moore, Tony Oursler and Tully Arnot.



At the entrance to the Hopper Gallery, you will be greeted by Simon Yates's "Foam Corps". Simon has created busts of fifteen historical figures that appear to be made from stone or marble. However, if you look more closely you will realise that they are cleverly fashioned from foam. His figures include Napoleon, Queen Victoria, Sherlock Homes, Shakespeare and Jim Morrison.



Another of the more challenging works is by New York artist Tony Oursler. In his piece "Spectar", Tony uses contemporary video art, projecting a montage of animated images onto a fibreglass form. The images of eyes and mouths are accompanied by a soundtrack of mumbled phrases. It is a jarring mix of images and sounds which I found to be aesthetically and emotionally challenging.



Back in the Turbine Hall make sure you head up the ramp or the stairs to the Turbine Gallery on Level 1 where you will find Kathy Temin's works "Pet Tomb" and "The Purple Works". You will also find a better view of Michael Parekowhai's rabbit, Jim McMurty, and the works by Brook Andrew from up here.



The Soft Core Exhibition was officially opened by Casula Powerhouse Director, Kiersten Fishburn, exhibition curator, Michael Do, and Liverpool Mayor, Wendy Waller, on the 15th October 2016.

The lively crowd of art lovers in attendance, both young and old, were served drinks and treated to soft foods such as dumplings and soft serve ice cream.

Entry to the exhibition is free. The exhibition will be held at the Casula Powerhouse until the 4th December 2016. After this date, it will begin touring NSW and QLD visiting Lake Macquarie and the Hawkesbury, Bathurst, Cowra, Shoalhaven, Shepparton, Ararat, Wagga Wagga, Toowoomba, Caboolture, Mackay and Cairns. For an itinerary of locations and dates for the tour please click here.

A catalogue of the exhibition is currently in production. For more information or to place an order contact the [LINK=http://www.casulapowerhouse.com/whats-on/exhibitions2/soft-core]Casula Powerhouse here.
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Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is located at 1 Powerhouse Rd Casula (entry via Shepherd St). There is free parking available on site. If travelling by train, disembark at Casula Station, conveniently located only 100 metres from the Casula Powerhouse.

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!date 15/10/2016 -- 04/12/2016
%wnsydney