Stephen Haley: Somewhere About Now

Glen Eira City Gallery is exhibiting a retrospective show of work by Stephen Haley. Somewhere About Now is a major event. Survey shows of this type are rare in Australian art. It is not simply another solo exhibition but a survey exhibition – a type of abbreviated retrospective

Running until 28 October, the exhibition explores the development of Haley’s creative practice and major thematic concerns over the past six years of his career.

Curated by Diane Soumilas, the exhibition features key works sourced from major public gallery, museum and private collections in Australia and includes a series of new light-jet photographs, a large scale video projection and a retro-reflective wall drawing created specifically for the exhibition.

Ms Soumilas says Haley has achieved considerable recognition for his compelling exploration of suburban iconography, digital technology and continued interest in Western space and the poetics of the mirror. 

“His artistic practice has teased the boundaries between real and virtual space for over two decades to convey powerful messages about the rapid urbanisation of contemporary cities, suburban alienation, environmental degradation and a continually developing virtual world,” she says.

“Haley is concerned with the poetics of the planar glass mirror as the basis for much of contemporary space and, through its metaphors and mechanisms – virtual representation, simulation, reflection and repetition – as a means to comprehend contemporary culture and the simulation of actual space. 

“His practice resonates with a richly layered and intoxicating beauty, offering the viewer an opportunity to become immersed in the realms of a lush, compelling and wondrous visual experience.”

Currently the Co-ordinator of Graduate Research, Master of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) at the Victorian College of the Arts), Haley’s career as an artist has included more than 17 solo exhbitions, numerous group exhibitions, national art awards and international residencies.

Free floor talks by artist Stephen Haley are scheduled at Glen Eira City Council’s Gallery on Wednesday 10 October 2.30pm and Sunday 21 October at 2.30pm. Mr Haley will provide an overview of his career, discussing key aspects of his practice.

http://www.vca-mcm.unimelb.edu.au

http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Connect/Arts_and_culture/Gallery