Over 70 established and emerging artists, including school students and community groups, are set to take part in HIDDEN Rookwood Sculptures this year. The open-air exhibition invites the public to engage with the richness of Australian sculpture against the backdrop of Rookwood Cemetery’s diverse cultural landscape. The exhibition
launches 10 September and is available until 9 October 2022.
The iconic sculpture walk, which began in 2009 was created as a platform for community engagement and showcases Rookwood’s historic monuments and cultural gardens. It encourages artists to creatively respond to the cemetery’s contemporary relevance by reflecting on personal narratives, cultural practices, history, and the cemetery’s evocative
sense of place.
In 2022, 55 works will be on display within Rookwood’s grounds, including sculptures, installations, performances, and short films: each with their own layered narratives and unique connection to the cemetery.
Exhibition curator Dr Kath Fries commented that HIDDEN is driven by a connection between the artworks, audience and the space. “Each artwork engages with unique stories and experiences of the cemetery. The atmosphere of the cemetery is naturally contemplative, so visitors approach the artworks with a quiet sensitivity unique to the space.”
“2020-2021 was a very difficult period for our arts communities,” said Fries, “I’m excited to again be curating this expansive exhibition which will allow visitors to engage with creative arts in this unique place, on Dharug Land, so integral to Australian history.”
“Rookwood Cemetery is an ideal setting for artists to present their works, while honouring communities of the past, present and future,” commented Lee Shearer, Administrator for Rookwood General Cemetery. “The event also attracts valuable support from local businesses and industry, enabling the exhibition to go from strength to strength.”
HIDDEN is continuing its key partnerships with Dharug Strategic Management Group, Cumberland City Council and Friends of Rookwood. This year HIDDEN is also partnering with nearby ACU McGlade Gallery, Strathfield, for a HIDDEN Satellite exhibition, featuring behind-the-scenes developments of the artworks.
HIDDEN Rookwood Sculptures will run from 10 September to 9 October 2022. The public program for HIDDEN 2022 will include a self-guided audio tour, curator tours, d/Deaf-led tour, tactile tour, short film screens, dusk tours, Rainbodhi tour, public photography competition, Shape Note Singing and education events with VADEA (Visual Arts & Design Educators Association) for high school art teachers. See www.hiddeninrookwood.com for dates and details
HIDDEN Rookwood Sculptures 2022 Artists HIDDEN Sculptures
Maissa Alameddine, Basketry NSW, Mark Booth, Priscilla Bourne, Cybele Cox, Farnaz Dadfar, Ellen Dahl, Suzanne Davey, Chris Dolman, Szymon Dorabialski, Kate Dunn, Tina Fox, Stevie Fieldsend, Maddie Gibbs, Karen Golland, Philippa Hagon, Hyun Hee Lee, Em Ingram-Shute, Adam King, Pamela Leung, Joanne Makas, Mahalya Middlemist &
Laurence Hall, Kathie Najar, Clare Nicholson, Katy B Plummer, Niall Robb, Leisa Sage, Bernadette Smith, Olga Svyatova, Jayanto Tan, Alan Tulloch, Josee Vesely-Manning, Lachlan Warner, Eduardo Wolfe-Alegria, Whimbrel Wilson, Anne Zahalka & Dorit Braun.
HIDDEN Students
Schools: Barker College, Cabramatta High School, Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Emerging: Kristy Gordon, Benita Laylim, Louisa Maxim Community: Cumberland Artists Together (CAT)
HIDDEN Films
Rubyrose Bancroft, Tom Blake, Natasha Cantwell, Lynn Dennison, Amala Groom, Elise Harmsen, Danica I. J. Knezevic, Jacqui Malins, Jacqui Mills, Monica Rani Rudhar
