SPACED AND PICA Launch Circular Economies Partnership
SPACED and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) are excited to announce Circular Economies, a series of socially engaged residencies in regional Western Australian communities over 2024–25, culminating in an exhibition at PICA in 2026.
Building on their long association, which saw SPACED present SPACED: From Space to Place at PICA in 2004, this collaboration will see five international, national and local artists spend sustained time in regional WA communities, supported by local arts organisations. The artists will dedicate their time in residence to socially engaged arts practice that engages local communities and is responsive to local contexts and the project theme of Circular Economies.
PICA’s Director/CEO Hannah Mathews said ‘SPACED has played a vital role in WA’s cultural landscape for over 30 years, connecting artists with communities across the state. It is recognised, nationally and internationally, as one of Australia’s longest running and most rigourous socially responsive and community-engaged residency programs. For many, SPACED has put Western Australia on the global art map. PICA is excited to be working with SPACED to realise the first edition of their program, Circular Economies. It is a valued opportunity to connect with regional communities on pressing ideas and to support artists to do what they do best – bring our attention to the issues that shape us.’
Spread across the vast state of Western Australia from the Goldfields-Esperance region to the Mid-West and Gascoyne regions, the residencies consider WA's relationship to the resources sector, its fluctuations and the export of crops and livestock from rural areas to offshore locations. Local opinions on the impact of this process on communities, cultures and the climate remain divided. However, the lack of resources in regional areas has led to the development of radical community-led solutions and sharing practices. From live exports to community gardens, renewable energy farms and seasonal workers, artists are encouraged to consider how communities are leading, resisting and forging new solutions to finite resources.
‘Circular Economies will see SPACED continue its nearly 30-year history of meaningful collaborations with regional communities. Through the residencies, artists will be invited to consider their practice in a new context, understand Australian regional perspectives, and learn from local arts practitioners, building capacity through skills exchange and reciprocal knowledge sharing.’ – SPACED Curator, Miranda Johnson.
SPACED and PICA are thrilled to announce the five artists and communities in the project are:
Susan Hauri-Downing & Tarsh Bates (WA)
Hosted by Beverley Station Arts, Beverley
House of Natural Fiber (Irene Agrivina Widyaningrum & Haryo Hutomoto) (Indonesia)
Hosted by Arts Narrogin, Narrogin
Loren Kronemeyer (TAS)
Hosted by The Cannery Arts Centre, Esperance
Mary Mattingly (USA),
Hosted by Shire of Carnarvon, Carnarvon
Ilona McGuire (WA)
Hosted by North Midlands Project, Carnamah
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SPACED is committed to facilitating the creation of innovative, context-responsive contemporary artworks by forging partnerships between artists and regional communities and will work to nurture artistic practice and community involvement as the projects emerge.
PICA operates as both a producing and presenting organisation, delivering an annual program of changing exhibitions, seasons in contemporary dance, experimental theatre, new music and live art as well as a range of artist-in-residence programs. Its programs are carefully crafted, ensuring connections are forged not only between artists and audiences but across art forms, cultures and geographies. For artists, audiences and other communities it serves, PICA is a meeting place, a provocateur, a resource and most importantly a partner in the realisation of big and new ideas.
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SPACED will be sharing more information about the artists, host communities and projects as they unfold. Please subscribe to SPACED’s monthly email newsletter, and follow SPACED on Facebook and Instagram.
