Endspace Gallery’s first exhibition of 2022 presents the work of artists Lana Adams, Lok., Caitlin Bowe and Michael Carney. This exhibition explores the writings of French historian, Pierre Nora, who wrote that Sites of Memory exist, because the real environments of memory are no longer. The concept of lieu de mémoire (sites of memory) established that certain places, objects or events can have special significance to an individual or group’s remembrance. “Even as traditional memory disappears, we feel obliged to collect remains, testimonies, documents, images, speeches, any visible sign of what has been.”
These four artists come together to explore the memories we link to places, people and objects, and the connections made with our past, present and future. Read their artist statements below.
Lana Adams
Memory and place have always been strong themes in my work. These photographs are a selection of moments – imperfect, blurred and nondescript in their capture, that were taken to record a sensation or feeling, rather than a defined scene. On fabric their definition has become softer, more sheer, less concrete, and perhaps feel like that moment when you are trying to grasp onto a memory but can’t get ahold of anything more than the fuzzy outline. I consider this outline important, as even just that can transport you back to the essence of the memory and what was felt there, and is a portal for feeling.
Lok.
As I am floating in a sea of nothingness, all I see is the colour red, white and blue. Traveling afar from a place where I used to call “home”, just hope that I can taste the freedom once more. To think that in order to have freedom, there are things that need to be sacrificed, including the time and creating future memories with the people and the place you love. It is crazy to think that we are still living in the future’s history, and what we share right now, may be considered as a “banned memory” one day.
RED. WHITE. BLUE. 紅. 白. 藍. The Red-White-Blue Bag originated in Hong Kong in the 60s, and soon became an iconic item that represents the beauty, diversity, and culture of Hong Kong. We often use these bags for moving into new places, but as we are moving, we are also bringing a part of us into a new environment; travelling to a foreign place only to seek a better future and freedom. The destination is unknown, but all we know is that our home is no longer safe, and we need to be set free. We carry what we have left, remembering our tradition, culture, language, or anything that reminds us of “our home” into an unknown, safer place. Remembering as much as we can… So maybe one day, we can go home safe and sound once again.
Caitlin Bowe
The otherworld of Irish myth is a foolish venture for any human. A place that sits in-between and upside-down, where spirits roam freely. Being present in a world which stands uncomfortably still around us has become our collective reality, no longer just a story. My work situates myself in the place of King Conaire, who travels to this otherworld as he searches for Da Derga’s Hostel. Each sculpture a trial that is met on the journey. Each trial a trap.A story that was doomed from the start.
Michael Carney
Michael Carney is an artist who works primarily within the disciplines of painting and ceramics. His work often presents as a collaboration between historical and contemporary aesthetics that explore notions of time, apocalypse, and the sublime. Carney’s work demonstrates the tension between controlled meticulous detail and vigorous gestural or decaying elements, playing with the contrasting notions of permanence and ephemerality. This approach also allows for a physical, body-in-action approach to making work where spontaneity and vigorous movements can be perfected and refined but also left incomplete and broken. Since completing his masters degree at the University of South Australia he spent 3 very influential months in Jingdezhen, China developing his ceramics practice. Following this residency, a two year ceramics associateship at the JamFactory was undertaken and completed. He now works out of his studio in Adelaide with an exhibition based practice throughout Australia.
Sites of Memory runs from March 18 to April 2. All works are available to purchase via the endspace website – www.endspacegallery.com/buy
Endspace gallery is a curated exhibition space located in a lively and dynamic auction house in Norwood, South Australia. Scammell Auctions has been an Adelaide institution since 2002 and conducts weekly and monthly specialty auctions full of antique and mid-century furniture, art and collectables.
Opened in March 2021, endspace is part of the evolution of the auction house. It is a contemporary exhibition space that exhibits work of local emerging and established artists alongside carefully selected pieces from upcoming auctions. Exhibitions include solo and group shows presenting a diverse range of media coming directly from the artist. A buy-now gallery, endspace encourages artists to sell their work and customers to buy unique artworks.
