Every Brilliant Eye - Australian Art of the 1990's
'My way to God' by Rose Nolan 1990
The NGV's Ian Potter Centre opened a new exhibition yesterday of Australian art from the 1990's.
Called 'Every Brilliant Eye' , named from Australian alternative rock band Died Pretty's 1990 third album.
Died Pretty are coincidentally touring next month with other
Australian rock legends Radio Birdman.
As 1990 was the year that I started Blonde Venus, it is an easy era for me to relate to.
Post punk moved in to grunge. Disco moved in to Acid House. Sub-cultures were alive and well but started to intermix.
I was going to see rock and roll bands but was actively involved in the dance party scene.
The art of the time reflects in these genres and changes.
'Gonfiare zenzero prenone' by Diena Georgetti 1992
'Silence, Intuition and Surrealism' by Eugene Carchesio 1991
The exhibition somehow manages to capture all of the moves and changes of the decade with a powerful statement from indigenous artist Gordon Bennett through to an extreme performance piece by Leigh Bowery.
I found many pieces triggered points in time, not with melancholy or nostalgia as it doesn't feel distant enough but recognition and appreciation for how we have and also how we haven't move on.
Fashion and fabric by Abyss Studio (Sara Thorn, Bruce Slorach) 1990
Paintings by Marco Fusinato 1996
(foreground) I.O.U. by Mikala Dwyer 1997-98
Untitled by Melinda Harper 1999
Favourite works include Diena Georgetti, Mikala Dwyer, Melinda Harper, Eugene Carchesio, Marco Fusinato, Rose Nolan and a fantastic piece called Punchline which 'happened' at Gertrude Contemporary in 1999 by Melbourne collective DAMP.
Every Brilliant Eye is showing now until the 1st of October and more details are available here.
Thea Basiliou
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