smh.com.au
Sydney Galleries Announce Diverse 2025 Exhibition Programs
The Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia will present diverse 2025 exhibitions featuring Australian, First Nations, and international artists, including Ron Mueck's largest Australian show and the Australian debut of Cerith Wyn Evans, alongside AI art and large-scale public sculptures.
- What are the key differences between the 2025 exhibition programs of the AGNSW and the MCA?
- In 2025, the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) will showcase Australian and First Nations artists, a shift from its recent international exhibitions. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) will present international art, AI-focused works, and a large outdoor sculpture visible from the Cahill Expressway. Both galleries will feature major exhibitions by prominent Australian and international artists.
- How do the chosen artists and exhibitions reflect broader trends in the Australian and international art worlds?
- The AGNSW's focus on Australian artists reflects a growing emphasis on domestic talent, while the MCA's international program highlights Sydney's position in the global art scene. Ron Mueck's AGNSW exhibition, his largest in Australia, and Cerith Wyn Evans's MCA debut demonstrate the scale and diversity of the upcoming shows. The inclusion of Yolŋu artists further emphasizes the importance of Indigenous art.
- What are the potential long-term impacts of these exhibitions on the Australian art scene and public engagement with art?
- The 2025 exhibitions suggest a trend towards exploring the intersection of art, technology, and social commentary. The MCA's AI exhibition and the AGNSW's focus on diverse Australian artists signal a shift towards more inclusive and technologically relevant programming. The large-scale public art installations indicate a broader effort to engage wider audiences.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the AGNSW's 2025 program as a shift away from international art towards a focus on Australian artists. The headline and initial paragraphs emphasize this change, potentially creating a narrative of rejection of international works rather than a balanced presentation of programming choices.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but phrases like "largest showing ever on home soil" (referring to Mueck) and "anarchic and generous sculptural neighborhood" (referring to Hewson) carry subjective connotations. More neutral alternatives could enhance objectivity. For example, "largest exhibition to date in Australia" and "a sculptural installation designed for interaction and exploration".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the AGNSW and MCA exhibitions, neglecting other significant art events in Australia during 2025. While this is understandable given space constraints, the omission could leave readers with an incomplete picture of the Australian art scene.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a dichotomy between international and Australian art, implying a competition rather than a coexistence. This is somewhat misleading as many of the featured artists have international recognition.
Gender Bias
While the article features both male and female artists, there is a notable focus on the male sculptors, Ron Mueck and Cerith Wyn Evans, and their biographical details. The description of the MCA's exhibition, "The Intelligence of Painting" that features 14 Australian women painters is brief. This imbalance may unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes in the art world.