Text/Object 2008 - An exhibition of collaborative and interdisciplinary works by staff of the CSU SVPA

Text/Object 2008

Preface :Cath Bowdler Director Wagga Wagga Art Gallery

The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is proud to host text/object, an exhibition showcasing the work of staff from the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Charles Sturt University. text/object continues to build on the strong connections between the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and the University. Following on from Transference in 2000 and conduit in 2005, (which accompanied the Leading from the Edge Public Galleries Summit hosted by Wagga Wagga Art Gallery), text/object is the third exhibition in the series and the largest.

The curatorial premise, developed by Dr Johannes Klabbers, explores the practice of cross-disciplinary collaboration, inviting practitioners to explore new directions beyond their comfort zones. The participants in text/object naturally bring their personal concerns and specific practices to such a challenge. text/object features works by artists, designers and performers working with each other and members of the community, locally, nationally and internationally. Hence a wide range of media and approaches to collaboration are explored.

One of the major roles of the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is to showcase the work of regionally-based, local artists. The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery has two exhibition spaces dedicated to community groups and local artists: the Links Gallery and the newer E3 art space. However, local artists are not consigned solely to these designated spaces. In the case of text/object, the artists exhibit their work in the Main Gallery space, alongside touring exhibitions and those curated by the Gallery. The exhibition gives an indication of the range and diversity of creative practices being taught, studied and researched at the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Charles Sturt University, and reflects the fact that the participants in text/object are committed to maintaining professional careers as practitioners whilst working as educators.

I would like to thank the artists in this exhibition, the curator Dr.Johannes Klabbers and Dr.Neill Overton for the catalogue essay. I would also like to thank Arts NSW, the NSW Government’s arts policy and funding body for their support of NSW artists and the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. In a regional centre such as Wagga Wagga the relationship between Charles Sturt University and the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is an important one and exhibitions such as text/object fulfil a significant role in nurturing these connections and cultivating the intellectual life of the region.

Cath Bowdler
Manager
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery