Double Opening: Sarah Poulgrain / Graham Mathwin

Outer Space acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Meanjin and their continued sovereignty over the land on which this project is carried out

Please Join us on February 8th from 6pm for the opening of A Set of New Skills by Sarah Poulgrain and Eager Beaver by Graham Mathwin.

Exhibition dates: Saturday 9th February – Sunday 24th February 2019 (Thurs-Sun 10am-2pm, Wed by appointment)

A SET OF NEW SKILLS
A Set of New Skills is the outcome of months of independently sought out skill development, learning and knowledge exchange. Sarah uses DIY forms of learning to cultivate an amateurish proficiency in weaving and welding which is documented both in this exhibition and supplementary publication.

For the duration of the exhibition Sarah will be available to share some skills. If you’d like to learn some basics of weaving or welding, please book a session through the following links;

Welding:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-set-of-new-skills-welding-workshop-tickets-55054451346

Weaving:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-set-of-new-skills-weaving-workshop-tickets-55054991963

Workshops run on the following days:
(please only book once for your desired date as times are limited and workshops are one-on-one)

1. 9th February, weaving on a floor loom, Outer Space
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm
2. 10th February, welding, Wreckers courtyard
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm
3. 15th February, welding, Wreckers courtyard
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm
4. 16th February, weaving on a floor loom, Outer Space
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm
5. 17th February, weaving on a floor loom, Outer Space
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm
6. 22nd February, welding, Wreckers courtyard
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm
7. 23rd February, weaving on a floor loom, Outer Space
10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm, 2pm – 4pm, 4pm – 6pm

Collaborative audio work with Rachael Archibald. Production assistance from Llewellyn Millhouse, Anya Swan, James Barth & Alleyne. Text by Leen Rieth.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

EAGER BEAVER
Eager Beaver is a series of works by Graham Mathwin that emerged from a concern for ethics of productivity and work that proliferate in the world. They are a set of purposeless machines, both figurative in film and physical sculptures. Much like the ‘useless machines’ that exist only to turn themselves off, these machines embody an absurdity; these oftentimes functional and useful devices are turned against their intended purpose, and liberated into the purposeless excess of existence.

The body of work also emerged from an attempt to move away from language as the content of the artist’s practice, and these machines are therefore gestural creatures that perform physical tasks – however pointless – and can be understood as potential characters for a deranged dance film.

Accompanying text by the artist.

Image courtesy of Sarah Poulgrain

Outer Space is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.