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Wooden panels with engraved text and designs, including star shapes and circular patterns, are arranged upright on a concrete floor. One panel in the foreground prominently displays the words “OUR BODIES” in large letters.

The shape of things to come

When

This exhibition has now ended.

Location

Buxton Contemporary Corner Southbank Boulevard & Dodds Street, Southbank. The University of Melbourne, Melbourne

The shape of things to come explored the roles and agencies of the artist in culture, society and politics as visionaries, storytellers, dissenters, foreseers and imaginers of different futures. This project spanned the mythic role of the artist as well as some of the more specific social agencies of artists as producers of powerful trans-historical narratives; as sensors, transformers, intermediaries and ‘advancers’ of the world we inhabit.

The diverse array of selected artists and works featured are variously imbued with a sense of ritualism, mysticism, and even foreboding; evoking the dynamics of a world in constant change and turmoil. Participating artists: Hany Armanious, Benjamin Armstrong, Peter Booth, Daniel Boyd, Pat Brassington, Nadine Christensen, Daniel Crooks, Juan Davila, Destiny Deacon & Virginia Fraser, Mikala Dwyer, Emily Floyd, Marco Fusinato, Tony Garifalakis, Diena Georgetti, Shaun Gladwell, Helen Johnson, Jess Johnson, Nicholas Mangan, James Morrison, David Noonan, Mike Parr, Patricia Piccinini, David Rosetzky, Ricky Swallow, Peter Tyndall, Francis Upritchard.

Curated by Melissa Keys.

Gallery

A modern art gallery with polished concrete floors, large paintings on white walls, a sculpture display in the center, and a large screen showing a video of a person floating in water. The space is well-lit and spacious.
A contemporary art gallery with sculptures made of wood and mixed materials arranged along the floor, framed artwork on white walls, polished concrete floors, and bright ceiling lights.
A spacious, modern art gallery with polished floors, white walls, and scattered sculptures and framed artworks displayed throughout the room under overhead lighting.

Exhibition Catalogue

Bold red text on a pink background reads THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME, with a list of names in smaller red text beneath the main title.

The Shape of things to come

Authors: Dr Jan Bryant, Dr Edward Colless, Melissa Keys, Dr Astrid Lorange

Contributors: Dr Jan Bryant, Dr Edward Colless, Melissa Keys, Mr Astrid Lorange

From The Shape of Things to Come
Buxton Contemporary University of Melbourne
9 March – 24 June 2018

Available for purchase at Buxton Contemporary, with postal delivery available. For purchase enquiries contact Buxton Contemporary.

$25, student discount 50%

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  1. Banner Image:

    Installation view, The shape of things to come, Emily Floyd, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne, 8 March – 24 June 2018, photography Christian Capurro