The Radical Familiar – Opening

'The Radical Familiar' reinvigorates the traditions of still life and interior portrait with a fresh, dreamy and intimate collection of works by five contemporary artists: Anna May Henry, Jordy Kerwick, Eytan Messiah, Shanti Shea-An & Thomas John Whelan. Drawing on traditions rich with history and symbolism, each artist interprets the conventional approaches to still life and interiors in alluring and innovative ways.

There is something familiar and inviting about the works in 'The Radical Familiar', but also uncertain. They satisfy the audiences need for home, belonging and comfort, but also challenge their expectations of a recognisable world. From the abstracted, flattened areas in Shea-An’s interiors to Messiah’s “simulated indoor spaces”, it is unclear whether they have drawn from a living moment or a distant dream.

'The Radical Familiar' opens on Wednesday 16 May, 6–8pm and continues until Saturday 26 May 2018.