Explore life as we step into a new era

Hobart Current: Epoch is a thought-provoking contemporary art program and exhibition, featuring new works created by 10 artists in response to the theme of ‘epoch’. The artworks span the mediums of digital content, installation, spoken word, sound-works and visual art.

The program begins with an exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). Three of the works are on display at outdoor sites within the Hobart CBD.

Explore the city further with a range of community artworks on the theme ‘epoch’.

Hobart Current: Epoch program

Hobart Current is a major biennial partnership between the City of Hobart and TMAG.

Exhibition

Artworks at TMAG

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
17 November 2023 – 12 February 2024
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Lou-Conboy-Ignition
Ignition, 2023, Lou Conboy. Image by Peter Whyte.

Ignition, 2023
Lou Conboy (Tasmania)

An epoch is sparked by a moment, marking a change and movement into a new era. In this defined moment where epoch is birthed, ignition is irrepressible. Lou Conboy’s work attempts to capture this intangible moment.

Tricky-Walsh-The-Weight-of-Things
The Weight of Things, 2023, Tricky Walsh. Image by Peter Whyte.

The Weight of Things, 2023
Tricky Walsh (Tasmania)

The Weight of Things is a science fiction story about a world like ours that kept producing and hoarding too much information. In this world, information is the next new state of matter, but it’s also a ravenous and invasive thing that tries to take over any space it can find.

Relics-Act-Nathan-Maynard
Relics Act, 2023, Nathan Maynard. Image by Rosie Hastie.

Relics Act, 2023
Nathan Maynard (Tasmania)

On Saturday 4 March 2023, Nathan Maynard published an advertisement in The Age classifieds seeking ‘an Australian of British descent who is willing to donate their future deceased body to an art installation’. Relics Act is the result of his conversations with project volunteer, Tony.

Georgia-Morgan-HERE,-NOW-AND-AGAIN-(AND-AGAIN,-AND-AGAIN)
HERE, NOW AND AGAIN (AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN), 2023, Georgia Morgan. Image by Peter Whyte.

HERE, NOW AND AGAIN (AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN), 2023
Georgia Morgan (Tasmania)

Georgia Morgan’s works HERE, NOW AND AGAIN (AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN), draw from her understanding of Tamil Hindu culture and rituals, the aesthetics of her immediate surroundings, an oral family history, and her current understanding of life and death as a 30-year-old female artist.

Wona-Bae-and-Charlie-Lawler-Present-Being
Present Being, 2023, Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler. Image by Peter Whyte.

Present Being, 2023
Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler (Tasmania)

In their large-scale installation Present Being, Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler explore their generation’s relationship with the natural world and ponder how future generations will experience it.

Florence-Shaw-Plenty-can-be-seen-in-the-background
Plenty can be seen in the background, 2023, Florence Shaw. Image by Peter Whyte.

Plenty can be seen in the background, 2023
Florence Shaw (UK)

Florence Shaw has responded to ‘epoch’ with a poem exploring the history of TMAG’s Private Secretary’s Cottage, and themes of obfuscation: the act of obscuring, muddling or concealing.

Artworks in public spaces

St David’s Park, Purdy’s Mart, Arygle Street
17 November 2023 – 11 February 2024

Isabella-Maria-Foster-Post-Cringe
Post-Cringe, 2023, Isabella Foster. Image by Andrew Wilson.

Post-Cringe, 2023
Isabella Foster (Tasmania), TMAG building, Argyle Street

Once a descriptor of shame, the term ‘cringe’ has resurfaced in contemporary culture with a prefix. Post-Cringe is a call to embrace cringe as a new tradition. It asks us to transcend the awkward and uncomfortable moments that often plague our virtual realities.

Rochelle-Hayley-Skylight-Arcade
Skylight Arcade, 2023, Rochelle Haley. Image by Andrew Wilson.

Skylight Arcade, 2023
Rochelle Haley (NSW), Purdy’s Mart

Rochelle Haley’s suspended arches create a sense of passage and discovery. The work invites visitors to reflect on their personal journeys as well as the moment of crossing the threshold – a space where future promise and nostalgia coexist.

The Depths of Intimacy, 2023
Arushi Jain (USA), St David’s Park

In this audio installation, Brooklyn-based synthesist and software engineer Arushi Jain explores how humans find connection in a world where immeasurable moments exist in virtual spaces.

Get Involved

Complementing the Hobart Current: Epoch exhibition, the City of Hobart is hosting a program of diverse community activities, providing opportunities to discover the notion of ‘Epoch’.

Epoch

"We live in interesting times, plunged into global upheaval, shaken by local change and challenged to personally reflect."

"Like never before, we have been given the opportunity to take stock of our lives, our beliefs and our actions as individuals, communities, and nations."

"As we step forth into 2023, one thing is certain, we know that it is a doorway and through it lies a new epoch. A new era that will define us for another generation."

"As we pass through towards this new future, there is room for nostalgia and cynicism for the past just as there is for hope and indignation for the future – but nothing will be the same."

"I want to encourage artists to look as much to the world as to themselves and their neighbours, to examine their stories and to spark conversations on who we have been and who we will become in this next great era."

Chris Twite

Hobart Current Timeline

November 2023

VISUAL ARTS

TRICKY WALSH

October 2023

SCREEN AND DIGITAL

LOU CONBOY

October 2023

VISUAL ARTS

ISABELLA FOSTER

October 2023

ARTIST UPDATE

EPOCH ARTISTS - VIDEO UPDATES

Since the last vlog entries in June 2023 our artists have been finalising their artworks for the Hobart Current: Epoch exhibition in November 2023.

As they enter the final stages of their creative process, see how they have tackled any new challenges and gain further insights into their creative world with this second round of video check-ins.

June 2023

VISUAL ARTS

ISABELLA FOSTER

June 2023

WRITING AND PERFORMANCE

FLORENCE SHAW

November 2022

ARTIST UPDATE

EPOCH ARTISTS - VIDEO UPDATES

Over the last 5 months ten artists have been working away on their artworks for Hobart Current: Epoch which will open in November 2023.

View the artists' progress so far and gain an intriguing insight into their visions and methodology in these video updates below.

November 2022

VISUAL ARTS

TRICKY WALSH

November 2022

SCREEN AND DIGITAL

LOU CONBOY

November 2022

VISUAL ARTS

ROCHELLE HALEY

November 2022

VISUAL ARTS

GEORGIA MORGAN

July 2022

Artist announcement

Creative Director Chris Twite introduces the ten artists

March 2022

EOI announcement

Artist EOI open

Expressions of interest (EOIs) are now open for Hobart Current: Epoch.

There are 10 artist commissions available, for artists working in design, music/sound, performance, screen, digital arts, visual art, and writing.

March 2022

Director announcement

Creative Director Chris Twite announced

Following a national recruitment process, Chris Twite has been selected as the Creative Director for Hobart Current 2023. Chris' theme for the program is ‘Epoch’.

Chris has programmed and produced for organisations such as the Falls Festival, Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival and the Sydney Opera House, helping to cultivate new art and ideas in cities around the country.