Exhibition: They are Watching: Dr Elham Shafaei

This exhibition features a diverse selection of artworks from twenty-one international artists from different part of the globe that push the boundaries of static portraiture while addressing contemporary themes such as: identity and diversity, emotional expression, mythology, social justice, technology and digital identity, narrative, and storytelling. 

Undoubtedly, portraiture holds immense significance within the history of art, making it one of the most crucial genres. Besides information that a portrait transmits to its viewers regarding the appearance of the subject, it’s also important for contemporary art that a portrait contains a context, identity questions, social issues, etc. Despite the challenges that contemporary portraiture currently faces such as: representation and diversity, digitalization and social media, technological advancements, financial sustainability, competition, and recognition it remains vibrant, and popular, and will assuredly thrive in the future. "They Are Watching," aims to challenge preconceived notions about the genre and showcase its evolution in the contemporary world. Portraits are sometimes viewed simply as documents of appearance, recording how a person looked at a particular moment in time. While this aspect is important, it overlooks the potential for portraits to convey emotion, narrative, and symbolism beyond mere physical likeness. This exhibition features a diverse selection of artworks from twenty-one international artists from different part of the globe that push the boundaries of static portraiture while addressing contemporary themes such as: Identity and diversity, emotional expression, mythology, social justice, technology and digital identity, narrative, and storytelling. From oil paintings to AI and digital compositions, each piece offers a unique perspective on human experiences. The intensity of portraitures selected for this exhibition extends beyond mere physical depiction, delving into the depths of psychological, philosophical, and emotional states. - Dr. Elham ShafaeiOpening: Thursday 2 May 2024 5pm–7pm

Exhibition dates: 26 April to 29 May
Floor talk: Wednesday 22 May 12:30pm–1:30pm
Gallery opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am–4pm

Image courtesy of the artist.
Joshua Kane Gomes | Parasocial X | 2023 | Steel, rope, emulsion coated foam, fabric and polyester fiber fill | 109 x 53 x 92 cm


Accessibility:

For more information on accessibility, please see Mount Lawley Campus' Access and Mobility map: https://www.ecu.edu.au/__data/...

Dates

Opening: April 26, 2024, midnight Closing: May 29, 2024, midnight

Website

Please click here for the official website