Ai Weiwei, Laurent Grasso, Haegue Yang and Eija-Liisa Ahtila. These are some of the first 21 artists that have been announced to take part in the 21st Biennale of Sydney by Mami Kataoka, artistic director. This lineup of leading artists and industry grandee’s not only cements the Biennale’s place as one of the Asia Pacific’s leading contemporary art events, but also provides insight into the themes of the 2018 edition.
The initial list of artists is as follows:
- Eija-Liisa Ahtila (Born 1959 in Finland, lives and works in Helsinki)
- Ai Weiwei (Born 1957 in China, lives and works in Beijing)
- Brook Andrew (Born 1970 in Australia, lives and works in Melbourne)
- Oliver Beer (Born 1985 in England, lives and works in Paris and London
- Anya Gallaccio (Born 1963 in Scotland, lives and works in San Diego)
- Laurent Grasso (Born 1972 in France, lives and works in Paris and New York)
- S. Harsha (Born 1969 in India, lives and works in Mysore)
- Mit Jai Inn (Born 1960 in Thailand, lives and works in Chiang Mai)
- Kate Newby (Born 1979 in New Zealand, lives and works in Auckland and New York)
- Noguchi Rika (Born 1971 in Japan, lives and works in Okinawa)
- Nguyen Trinh Thi (Born 1973 in Vietnam, lives and works in Hanoi)
- Ciara Phillips (Born 1976 in Canada, lives and works in Glasgow)
- Koji Ryui (Born 1976 in Japan, lives and works in Sydney)
- Semiconductor (Ruth Jarman, born 1973 in England, and Joe Gerhardt, born 1972 in England, live and work in Brighton)
- Yasmin Smith (Born 1984 in Australia, lives and works in Sydney)
- George Tjungurrayi (Born c. 1943 in Australia, lives and works in Kintore)
- Nicole Wong (Born 1990 in Hong Kong, lives and works in Hong Kong)
- Wong Hoy Cheong (Born 1960 in Malaysia, lives and works in Kuala Lumpur)
- Yukinori Yanagi (Born 1959 in Japan, lives and works in Hiroshima)
- Haegue Yang (Born 1971 in South Korea, lives and works in Berlin and Seoul)
- Jun Yang (Born 1975 in China, lives and works in Vienna, Taipei and Yokohama)
Of the selection Mami, who is Tokyo-based and also the Chief Curator of the Mori Art Museum, said: “Next year’s Biennale will explore multiple viewpoints in search of a state of equilibrium. With a holistic view, the 21st Biennale of Sydney will also seek in-depth engagement with individuals and communities while exploring a range of perspectives and meanings of abstractions. Rather than focusing on a specific concept or theme, the exhibition will suggest multi-layered perspectives of the world and its histories simultaneously. In July this year [2017], the exhibition title will be announced along with details of the themes and concerns informing this edition.”
“Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has showcased the work of nearly 1,800 artists from more than 100 countries, building a reputation as one of the leading international art events,” added the event’s organisers.
For twelve weeks, between 16 March and 11 June, 2018, and over multiple locations, contemporary artists from across the Asia Pacific region will be exhibiting new works, recent commissions and unseen pieces.
Biennale of Sydney (2018)
biennaleofsydney.com.au
Words by Holly Cunneen
Ai Weiwei Forever Bicycles 2011
NS Harsha Charming Journey 2017
Mit Jai Inn at Deaths Door 2016
Mit Jai Inn Junta Monochrome 1 2016
Brook Andrew Splinters of Monuments 2014
Brook Andrew Guardians of the galaxy the motherhood number 2016
Semiconductor Earthworks 2016