Project Description
This exhibition brought to light the exploration of darker undercurrents of human experience by David Griggs. Griggs’ work - predominately portraiture - focusses on the human condition; drawing on political imagery, underground media, local histories and personal experience. His work is often collaborative, engaging directly with communities while remaining sensitive to the ethical and moral obligations this demands. For the last 10 years Griggs has resided in the Philippines and has created a significant body of work traversing painting, photography and film that reveals the social hierarchies and underground culture of his adopted home.
Between Nature and Sin brought together key works by the artist and was the first major Australian survey of this leading artist’s practice. Developed by Campbelltown Arts Centre and touring nationally in conjunction with Museums & Galleries NSW, the exhibition included the premiere of Griggs’ feature film, COWBOY COUNTRY.
This project was part of the Bayanihan Philippine Art Project in partnership with Mosman Art Gallery, Blacktown Arts Centre, Peacock Gallery and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Education
Education programs alongside this exhibition focussed on professional development for high school students. Programs included an in-school artist talk with David Griggs, customised exhibition visits for high school support unit classes, and a teachers’ evening presented in partnership with Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW (VADEA).
During the exhibition, year 12 students also joined C-A-C’s annual stage 6 study day, Artists & Practice. This intensive day for over 100 senior students from local and South West Sydney schools and was designed around visual arts curriculum with particular attention to body of work development for students commencing their HSC syllabus. The event included talks and workshops with artists across multiple disciplines, including emerging artist Marikit Santiago who worked with David Griggs in painting exhibition design for Between Nature and Sin. Students also enjoyed a panel discussion with 2016 graduates and young ARTEXPRESS artists to learn about their HSC experience and body of work development.
Tertiary Talks alongside Between Nature and Sin included gallery floor talk with David Griggs as well as conversations with the production team who worked closely with the artist to present the large scale survey of works in form of unique exhibition design.
An education resource was developed and provided to local schools in both print and PDF form, with content adapted by Museums and Galleries NSW to share with regional galleries as part of touring exhibition.
Artists
David Griggs, Abdul Abdullah, Marikit Santiago, Tom Polo, Giselle Stanborough, Nicole Barakat, Alinta Maguire, Elijah Innes
Partners
Visual Arts and Design Educators Association NSW (VADEA)
Priority Areas
Young People, People with a Disability, Aboriginal People
