Conceived during the artist’s travels throughout Australia and South East Asia this collection of new works by Joey Gracia explores Australia’s role as a super power in the Asia/Pacific region. Offshore detention centres, media manipulation, deaths at sea, death penalties, self-immolations and landmines exist alongside five star hotels, sitcoms and soap operas, luxury cruses, diplomatic immunity, barbeques and fireworks.
Touching on an array of topics, this exhibition explores some of the contentious issues in Australian foreign policy and international relations relating to the Asia Pacific Region. Inspired by Australian TV and news programs as well as music, sports and current events, these works are the result of an evolving process of cut and paste, mixed media experimentation and visual, social and political explorations. The artist aims to expose hypocrisy and lies, poking fun at ridiculous international relations. The situation would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
The media manipulates according to political and business influence and agendas. Using incorrect phrases like, ‘illegal immigrants’ when referring to asylum seekers is just one of the many insidious errors commonly made in Australian news. It is not illegal to seek asylum! In fact illegal immigration in Australia consists mainly of illegal immigrants from the US and UK, China and Malaysia and are people overstaying visas.
“We punish and attack the most vulnerable while the strong get stronger. Jailing and killing some young men for minor mistakes involving drugs and property, while others get away with murder and rape. We destroy important cultural sites with bypasses. We destroy ancient knowledge. Everyday people go out of their way to destroy the beauty of ancient rock paintings.”
EXHIBITION DATES:
Friday 4 November 2016 – Tuesday 3 January 2017
9:00am – 5:00pm weekdays
OFFICIAL OPENING:
Friday 4 November 2016 @ 6:00pm
ARTIST TALK:
Tuesday 15 November 2016, 12:00noon – 1:00pm
The artist will do a walk through of the gallery, discussing some of the ideas behind the work, answering questions and inviting discussion. Open to all ages and members of the public.
Image Credit: Joey Gracia