Artspace

On Return and What Remains

Khadim Ali, Bonita Ely, Harun Farocki, Omer Fast, Richard Mosse, Baden Pailthorpe

Curated by Mark Feary

Exhibition Dates
21 August – 12 October 2014

Artist Talks with Khadim Ali, Bonita Ely & Baden Pailthorpe in conversation with Mark Feary
When | Saturday 13 September, 2pm
Location | Artspace, Level 2, Seminar Room

The Naval History of The Gunnery Building With John Smith, Senior Researcher, Naval Historical Society of Australia
When | Saturday 27 September, 2pm
Location | Artspace, Level 2, Seminar Room

Overview

On Return and What Remains brings into focus the personal tolls endured by returning soldiers, their families and loved ones, as well as those impacted by the ravages of war. The exhibition assembles a selection of insightful, harrowing and confronting works that attempt to shine light on the enormous challenges and difficulties endured by those who have served duty on the frontlines of global conflicts.

Coinciding with the current withdrawal of Australian and allied forces from Afghanistan, as well as marking the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, the position of this project evades contention around the legitimacy of particular wars and debates regarding international intervention in them. Instead, On Return and What Remains focuses on narratives lensed through the individual, the sacrifices made and predicaments faced as military personnel return home and attempt to integrate back into civilian life, a life rendered unfamiliar and potentially hostile to them. Although largely focused on the perspective of individual troops, the project also envelops those whose lives are irrevocably altered by such conflicts from a range of perspectives, from those who have been forced to flee their homeland to the families and loved ones who attempt to support emotionally, physically and psychologically damaged returnees.

On Return and What Remains focuses not on the atrocities of war but what emerges in its aftermath from the perspective of those implicated from afar. The exhibition will be presented across all of the galleries that Artspace occupies within The Gunnery, a building that was commandeered by the Australian Navy during the Second World War, and a site that continues to bear witness to the active navy presence located opposite.

(Left) Khadim Ali, 'Untitled 2', from series 'Transitions/ Evacuations', 2014, wool and cotton rug with natural and chemical dyes. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane. (Right) Richard Mosse, 'Theatre of War', 2009, HD video, 4 minutes 06 seconds, cinematography by Trevor Tweeten and digital colour by Jerome Thelia. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Baden Pailthorpe, 'MQ-9 Reaper (That Others May Die)', 2014, 2-channel HD video, 6 minutes. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Baden Pailthorpe, 'MQ-9 Reaper (That Others May Die)', 2014, 2-channel HD video, 6 minutes. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Richard Mosse, 'Killcam', 2008, HD video, 5 minutes 51 seconds. Cinematography by Trevor Tweeten and digital colour by Jerome Thelia. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Omer Fast, 'Continuity', 2012, digital Film, 39 minutes 22 seconds. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist; gb agency, Paris; and Arratia Beer, Berlin. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Omer Fast, 'Continuity', 2012, digital Film, 39 minutes 22 seconds. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist; gb agency, Paris; and Arratia Beer, Berlin. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Khadim Ali, 'Untitled 2', from series 'Transitions/ Evacuations', 2014, wool and cotton rug with natural and chemical dyes. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane. Photo: Zan Wimberley
(Left) Richard Mosse, 'Theatre of War', 2009, HD video, 4 minutes 06 seconds; and Untitled (Iraq), 2009, HD video, 4 minutes 55 seconds. Both works: cinematography by Trevor Tweeten and digital colour by Jerome Thelia. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. (Right) Khadim Ali, 'Transitions/ Evacuations', 2014, gouache, ink, and gold leaf on wasli paper. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Harun Farocki, 'Serious Games III: Immersion', 2009, 2-channel video, 20 minutes. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the estate of the artist; Greene Naftali Gallery, New York; and Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris. Photo: Zan Wimberley
Foreground: Bonita Ely, 'Sewing Machine Gun', 2013, Singer sewing machine, bobby pins. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane. Background: Harun Farocki, 'Serious Games III: Immersion', 2009, 2-channel video, 20 minutes. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the estate of the artist; Greene Naftali Gallery, New York; and Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris.
Bonita Ely, 'Watchtower', 2013, double bed, cot mattress. Installation view, 'On Return and What Remains'. Courtesy of the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane.