Handbook

This course introduces you to ‘the canon’ of Australian Art in order to critically engage with and debate the construction of official histories of art. Using exhibitions as a lens, you will develop critically-informed understandings of the ways that notions of ‘Australian Art’ have been developed, and how they intersect with various social, cultural, and political contexts. Like all official histories, the conventional history of Australian Art often misses key discourses, diverse cultural perspectives, and experimental practices. To address this, this course expands on and problematises the history of Australian Art by focusing on incorporating emerging, experimental, and culturally diverse art practices. Particular attention is paid to Australian Indigenous art and art from the Asia-Pacific region, and the course prompts you to explore new thematic and conceptual frameworks in which to situate and connect a diverse range of artworks, exhibitions, and practices.