Magic Object

2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art

Art Gallery of South Australia

27  February - 15 May 2016

For Magic Object Kate Rohde expanded her presentation for the 2015 Ring Design Prize to fill the entire AGSA foyer and cafe, as well as helping to furnish the education centre

Are artists the last magicians? 

Drawing inspiration from the 'Wunderkammer', those rooms or cabinets of wonder dedicated to the display of magical objects, the 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art champions the contemporary artist as conjuror. 

With attendant meanings and manifestations, including contemporary artists' interests in the talismanic, in cultural rituals and material riddles, this exhibition offers the 'Wunderkammer' as a tool with which to both view the world and critique it. 

Ranging in age from 27 to 105 years, Magic Object includes the following artists: 

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Glenn Barkley, Chris Bond, Pepai Jangala Carroll, Tarryn Gill, Louise Haselton, Juz Kitson, Loongkoonan, Fiona McMonagle, Danie Mellor, Clare Milledge, Tom Moore, Nell, Ramesh Mario-Nithiyendran, Bluey Roberts, Kate Rohde, Gareth Sansom, Robyn Stacey, Garry Stewart and the Australian Dance Theatre, Jacqui Stockdale, Heather B. Swann, Hiromi Tango, Roy Wiggan, Tiger Yaltangki and Michael Zavros. 

The 2016 Adelaide Biennial is an Art Gallery of South Australia exhibition presented in partnership with the Anne & Gordon Samstag Museum of Art, UniSA, and in association with the Adelaide Festival of Arts.