Today (17 November) Hobart’s CBD will usher in a new era of contemporary art with the opening of biennial exhibition Hobart Current, exploring the theme of Epoch in our changing world.
An innovative and long-term partnership between the City of Hobart and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), Hobart Current showcases leading and emerging contemporary artists from around Tasmania, Australia and the globe.
Their works span the breadth of media from visual art, performance, music, and film, to design and literature.
The exhibition will be presented at TMAG alongside several installations at outdoor public sites.
A series of community responses to the theme of Epoch will also be on display around the CBD.
This year, the exhibition is curated by Chris Twite, who was appointed to the role of Creative Director after a nationwide recruitment process.
Mr Twite was also recently named as the new Artistic Director of Hobart’s Dark Mofo festival, and has programmed and produced for leading cultural events such as Falls Festival, Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival and the Sydney Opera House. He is now turning his talents to this year’s Hobart Current.
“We live in interesting times, plunged into global upheaval, shaken by local change and challenged to personally reflect,” Mr Twite said.
“I am thrilled to direct the next chapter of Hobart Current, a vital and exciting exploration that takes stock of culture right here and now.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the talent on display at Hobart Current reflected the strength of the City’s creative scene.
“Now in its second iteration, the team was once again overwhelmed by the response to Hobart Current from the creative community, with over 150 expressions of interest from artists living in Tasmania, interstate and overseas,” Cr Reynolds said.
“With a focus on nurturing local talent, Hobart Current: Epoch’s 10-strong line-up features six Tasmanian artists.”
Principal Art Curator, Jane Stewart said TMAG was thrilled to partner with the City of Hobart to deliver Hobart Current once again.
“Hobart Current: Epoch is an uplifting and inspiring exhibition that takes stock of culture right here and now,” Ms Stewart said.
“TMAG is dedicated to supporting living artists and nurturing new art across different media. We hope that Hobart Current provides a vibrant and accessible platform for public engagement which also enables Tasmanian artists to shine alongside artists who live elsewhere’.”
City of Hobart Creative City Portfolio Chair Cr John Kelly said the community program gave a platform to young, aspiring and everyday artists to share their perspectives alongside some of the best contemporary artists working today.
“I’m sure the community will enjoy stumbling across these pockets of art across the CBD, or they can check out the program and follow the art trail map,” Cr Kelly said.
“The community program feature submissions from Hobartians at all ages and stages of their artistic journey and includes a creative postcard exhibition, digital works, night-time projection and outdoor galleries in Wellington Court and Victoria Street.”
Hobart Current: Epoch takes place from 17 November 2023 – 11 February 2024.
The full line-up of artists is Rochelle Haley, Arushi Jain, and Florence Shaw, and Tasmanians Tricky Walsh, Georgia Morgan, Isabella Maria Foster, Lou Conboy, Nathan Maynard, and Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler.
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Pictured: Artist Tricky Walsh (Tasmania) in front of The Weight of Things, 2023. Photographed by Rosie Hastie.
