EVERY dog will have its day
22 july — 7 september 2017, casula powerhouse arts centre, sydney
Artists: Abdul-Rahman Abdullah (WA), Dion Beasley (NT), David Capra (NSW), Anastasia Klose (NSW), Noel McKenna (NSW), Clare Peake (WA), Kenny Pittock (VIC), Danielle Reynolds (VIC), Adrian Stojkovich (VIC) and Natalie Thomas (VIC)
Curators: Sophia Cai and Kathleen Linn
Every Dog Will Have Its Day was a group exhibition of ten contemporary Australian artists exploring the emotional connection between people and dogs. Curated by emerging curators Sophia Cai (VIC) and Kathleen Linn (NSW), the exhibition featured work by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah (WA), Dion Beasley (NT), David Capra (NSW), Anastasia Klose (NSW), Noel McKenna (NSW), Clare Peake (WA), Kenny Pittock (VIC), Danielle Reynolds (VIC), Adrian Stojkovich (VIC) and Natalie Thomas (VIC) spanning across diverse mediums of painting, drawing, sculpture, video and performance.
The exhibition also referenced Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre’s (CPAC) collection and its programming history. Surprisingly, within CPAC’s collection, artists have referenced their relationship to dogs. This includes works such as Apichat Tinatin’s, Dingo (dog with attitude) (2005) and Mai Long’s, Pho Dogs (2006) and Aqua Mutt: an installation with dag girl (2007).
While immediately playful and humorous in nature, Every Dog Will Have Its Day provided a broader platform to consider the enduring relationship between humans and dogs. Dogs are embedded in myth, ritual and the human experience; their roles span from beloved pet, surrogate child, guard and working dogs, to dark, symbolic representations. At the heart of all these is the enduring symbiotic relationship of loyalty and empathy that bind people with their dogs.
The exhibition opening featured a performance by Danielle Reynolds. All dogs (and humans) were welcome.
Click here for a digital copy of the catalogue