The term ‘cross-mending’ refers to the archaeological process of piecing together fragments of objects that have been dispersed across a site. Through cross-mending, archaeologists can uncover information not only about the fragmented object, but about the history of a specific site. The exhibition takes ‘cross-mending’ as its title to describe how we make meaning from the past; what we inherit and learn from those who have gone before us; how we honour and celebrate them; and how we go forward. The exhibition acknowledges and values a multiplicity of voices that speak to the past, present and future. Through painting, drawing, video and sculpture, the exhibition will explore ideas surrounding denied or forgotten family histories, the nature of identity, the role of women, female empowerment, maternal relationships, colonial history, queer history and migratory experiences.
Artists: Robert Andrew, Christopher Bassi, Hannah Brontë, Jessica Enkera, Callum McGrath, Sancintya Mohini Simpson and Athena Thebus.
Curated by Lisa Bryan-Brown, Katherine Dionysius and Amy-Clare McCarthy,
Outer Space, Brisbane: 24 November – 15 December
Exhibition Catalogue with curator essay and additional texts by Leah King Smith and Hilary Thurlow
Exhibition documentation by Charlie Hillhouse
foreground: Callum McGrath, on wall: Chris Bassi
foreground: Callum McGrath, left to right: Chris Bassi, Robert Andrew, Jessica Enkera, Hannah Brontë
left to right: Sancintya Mohini Simpson, Hannah Brontë
left to right: Hannah Brontë, Callum McGrath
foreground: Hannah Brontë, Evie, 2018
left to right: Callum McGrath, Chris Bassi
Callum McGrath, 1897-1991 (detail), 2018
Chris Bassi, Black Palm, 2018
Chris Bassi, Black Palm, 2018
Robert Andrew, Indivisible, 2018
left to right: Robert Andrew, Jessica Enkera
Jessica Enkera, 2018
Sancintya Mohini Simpson, Sugar Cane and Plantation, 2018
Sancintya Mohini Simpson, Sugar Cane, 2018
Athena Thebus, Deep Water Dream Girl, 2018
Athena Thebus, Deep Water Dream Girl, 2018