THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

9 March – 24 June 2018

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.

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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 cactus sculpture with two arworks on on a wall

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

A gallery with an installation in the middle of the room

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

A yellow star on the floor with artworks on black walls

Jess Johnson, Who Why Wurld, 2017, photography Christian Capurro

A sculpture in the foreground and artworks in wall in background

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

A yellow cactus sculpture in front of a window in a gallery

Installation view, The shape of things to come, Buxton Contemporary, the University of Melbourne, 8 March – 24 June 2018, with L-R Nadine Christensen, Prospector, 2007; Nadine Christensen, Stained glass and hideouts, 2009; Ricky Swallow, Field recording/Highland Park hydra 2003, photography Christian Capurro.

A gallery with different sized sculptures and artworks on a wall

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

two sculptures a purple human and a yellow human in a gallery

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

Exhibition Catalogue

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With its evocative title and appropriately forward-thinking focus, The shape of things to come was the introductory exhibition at Buxton Contemporary. Featuring a selection of more than 70 works of art by 26 artists from the Buxton collection, this exhibition explored a constellation of ideas relating to the role and agency of the artist in society, culture and politics. Contributors include Melissa Keys, Astrid Lorange, Edward Colless and Jan Bryant. Foreward by Ryan Johnston.

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

Buxton Contemporary acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work, learn and create, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples, and the wider Kulin Nations. We acknowledge their continuing care for Country and recognise that Australia’s First Peoples art and cultural practices have thrived here for millenia.