Above: An open space 2011 (detail) Private collection, Melbourne © courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery. Photo: Mark Ashkanasy
The exhibition traces Emily Floyd’s, renowned for her text-based and modernist-inspired sculptures, career and will feature some of her earliest sculptures as well as several new works commissioned for the exhibition, such as a colourful, temporary library where visitors can relax and read texts that have inspired Floyd’s creations.
Above: A Human Scale (Maquette) 2014 Collection of the artist, Melbourne Commissioned by Dexus CPA Trust Pty Ltd and Cbus Property for the 5 Martin Place Trust © courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery
Above: It’s because I talk too much that I do nothing 2002 (detail) powder coated steel, stained wood dimensions variable installation at Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne Private collection, Melbourne © courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery
“Emily Floyd’s text-based sculptures and pedagogically inspired works stimulate debate about various social, cultural and political ideas and explore intersections between art, education and play,” said Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV. “Emily Floyd is one of Australia’s most exciting artists and her work will no doubt delight visitors of NGV Australia over summer.”
Above: Steiner rainbow 2006 (installation). Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2011. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program (2011.175a-i) © courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery
Floyd’s sculptures playfully experiment with shape, colour and text to engage the viewer and prompt discussions about cultural, social and political ideas. The upcoming exhibition takes its title from The Dawn: A Journal for Australian Women, a women’s newspaper established in Sydney in 1888 by the poet, suffragette and enterprising businesswoman Louisa Lawson, mother of Henry Lawson.
Above: An open space 2011. Private collection, Melbourne © courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery. Photo: Mark Ashkanasy
Emily Floyd: The Dawn is the result of a close collaboration between the artist and Jane Devery, Curator of Contemporary Art, NGV.
The exhibition is generously supported by the Loti and Victor Smorgon Fund, Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax, the Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust and Wine Partner Seppelt.
Above: WORKSHOP 2012. Lyon Collection, Melbourne © courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery. Photo: Jamie North/Pardalote Photography
Where: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation NGV International
When: 21 Nov 2014 – 01 Mar 2015.
Hours: 10am-5pm, closed Mondays.
Entry: Free
NGV Australia
ngv.vic.gov.au