An interrogation of various axes of oppression through the works of 4 young artists.
weight/wait is an exhibition that interrogates the artists’ lived experiences of encountering and fighting systemic oppression. Through mediums of painting, poetry, textiles, sculpture, and writing, weight/wait curated by Maya Quinn, in mentorship with Aisyah Aaqil Sumito, features four young artists in their first public exhibition.
Mia Page, Neville, Djilandi, and Rain Onsunday bring to this installation a conversation of transness, queerness, First Nations sovereignty, self-determination, and identity on stolen land. Working with textiles, digital painting and the written/spoken word, these artists attempt to reclaim the undervalued mediums of ‘women’s work’ breaking the binary of gender conformity.
The pieces all explore facets of identity. One work centres on the physical occupation of the femme body, while another is a window of introspection into the mapped worlds of country through traditional and cultural ways of painting. Collectively the pieces speak to the insurmountable weight placed upon those who face oppression. Yet it also sparks a burgeoning desire to resist, to protest, and to challenge; to quit waiting for things to change.
This exhibition gives expression to the queer experience, unpacking antiquated gender discourse, and centering decolonisation.
This is a hybrid event, taking place in-person at Cool Change Contemporary and online via the KickstART Festival website.
Details
When: Saturday 2 - Saturday 23 April
Where: Cool Change Contemporary, and online via the KickstART Festival website
Please note that Cool Change Contemporary is open from 11am - 5pm from Wednesday to Saturday.
About the Youth Week WA KickstART Festival
Presented by Propel Youth Arts WA, the KickstART Festival has been the flagship event of Youth Week WA for 12 years running. KickstART offers over 60 free events - including workshops, talks, performances, mentorships, exhibitions, markets, and other special events - between 8 - 16 April, for young people aged 12-26.
Due to growing concerns about COVID-19 and the anticipated continued spread of Omicron across our communities in Boorloo (Perth) and WA, the Propel team has decided to pivot towards digital and hybrid formats for the delivery of the KickstART Festival this April.
The Youth Week WA KickstART Festival 2022 is presented by Propel Youth Arts WA and is funded by the Government of Western Australia through the Department of Communities and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. KickstART is also supported by Lotterywest, the City of Perth, the City of Stirling, the City of Fremantle, and the City of Vincent.