PICA presents their annual graduate show Hatched

Every year, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) showcases the work of emerging Australian artists from every State and Territory in their National Graduate Show, Hatched. From May 2 to July 5 PICA will be presenting the works of 24 visual artists across all of PICA’s gallery spaces, as part of the 29th year of Hatched. The program aims to build strong connections between interstate and Perth-based artists. For the 11th consecutive year, the Schenberg Art Fellowship of $50,000, the most significant prize for emerging artists in Australia, will be awarded to one exceptional Hatched artist during the opening night event on May 1st.

Daniel Kristjansson, Voidland, 2019

The Hatched: National Graduate Show 2020 features arts graduates with an exciting and diverse range of practices rigorously selected from 20 tertiary art schools nationally. This year’s panel included: Nathan Beard, Artist; Hannah Presley, Curator of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Victoria and Megan Monte, Director Cement Fondu, Sydney.

Ohni Blue, If the Body was Open Source, 2019. Photo by Jek Maurer

“The most rewarding takeaway from the selection process for Hatched 2020 was seeing how many artists are emerging from their institutions with uniquely engaged and thoughtful perspectives surrounding an overlapping variety of timely themes” said panellist Nathan Beard. The exhibition tells the story of the nation’s emerging arts practices while acting as an important platform for artistic careers. Countless leading Australian artists, including David Noonan, Lynette Walworth, Shaun Gladwell, Julie Dowling, Nick Mangan, Julie Gough, Khaled Sabsabi, Ramesh Nithivendran and Curtis Taylor have exhibited their work in Hatched.

Siahne Rogers, "GO FOR BROKE!", 2019. Photo by Roger D'Souza

Works on display in this year’s Hatched feature a broad range of contemporary practice including installations, audio/sound works, photography, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, textiles and graffiti. Informed by the artists’ lived experiences, many of the works share ideas around social constructs, individual identity and cultural heritage. Issues of racism, displacement and the concept of the cohesiveness of a multi-ethnic identity are examined. The role of fashion in shaping self-perception, how sound can affect our sense of place and how grand personal narratives can come unstuck are some of the concepts explored.

Michelle Vine, Affirmation Tub, 2018-9

Emerging curator and writer Miranda Johnson will assist in the planning, administration and delivery of Hatched. “Hatched is a significant means by which PICA supports emerging Australian artists,” says PICA Director Amy Barrett-Lennard. “Hatched frequently provides artists with their first opportunity to present work within a supportive and professional public gallery environment as well as providing an instant network of peers across the country. In what has become something of a PICA tradition, the Hatched opening night is a free party featuring live entertainment and an outdoor bar. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy an unforgettable night of art, food and entertainment, along with the opportunity to meet and celebrate these extraordinary artists.

Featured Image: Jody Rallah, 250 Years (The Coolamon Project), 2019. Photo by Andrew Willis

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