FIONA HALL BIG GAME HUNTING

One of Australia’s most prominent contemporary artists, Fiona Hall is best known for extraordinary works that transform commonplace materials into vital organic forms with both contemporary and historical resonances. This trans-disciplinary survey exhibition highlights her recent practice and her continuing focus on the political interface between nature and culture. Compelling new bodies of work appear alongside related earlier pieces, with the installation Fall Prey (created for dOCUMENTA (13) in Germany in 2012) at the core.

A ‘21st century hunter’s den’, Fall Prey comprises a macabre yet wondrous wunderkammer of trophy-style sculptures of endangered species from the International Conservation Union’s ‘Red List’, rendered in military camouflage and embellished with recycled items from contemporary culture.

The complement of conceptually aligned works includes stunning barkcloth, video and sculptural pieces inspired by a 2011 expedition to the unique marine environment of the Kermadec Trench on the Pacific Rim of Fire; an installation of innovatively re-designed beehives produced for the 2010 Biennale of Sydney; and a suite of exquisite large etchings celebrating the flora and fauna of Arnhem Land.

IN THE NEWS

Interview with Fiona Hall
Radio National: Books and Arts Daily presented by Michael Cathcart

“The visual and conceptual impact of Hall’s work is…that it uses an intriguing visual language of symbols and materiality to draw its audience closer for a lengthy conversation”
John Neylon, The Melbourne Review

“Funereal set apt for work on extinction”
Robert Nelson, The Age