When it comes to ways in which artists address ecological issues, actions can be big or small – it's the action that is important however subtle.
Bruised: Art Action and Ecology in Asia, opening on 12 April at RMIT Gallery, curated by Helen Rayment and Thao Nguyen, examines how artists are using creative actions to open discussions around food sustainability and production, environmental catastrophes and human migration in our region.
The exhibition features 23 Australian and international artists whose work focuses on environmental and social issues in Asia. Balinese artist Made Bayak, whose powerful work critiques the problems caused by tourism-driven development in Bali, will be visiting Melbourne to perform.
"In the face of complex environmental problems, the exhibition examines how artistic response combined with gentle activism can result in a rich legacy and empower further actions in the community," Rayment said.
"Artists and their work are now one the best ways to stay informed about the state of the world. Artists agitate and share stories that we may not otherwise hear.
Some of the exhibition highlights include an element of Indonesian artist Tintin Wulia's major work 855 Kilograms of Homes in Another State, which uses cardboard waste to examine the politics of recycling and the wealth made from human labour.
Land for Sale, a living grass installation by Arahmaiani, one of Indonesia's most respected and iconic contemporary artists, provides a powerful and provocative
