In its 2022 Artistic Program, ACE Open is helping Adelaide understand, expand and transform our world through exciting new and emerging voices in contemporary Australian art.

ACE Open, South Australia’s premier contemporary art gallery, has announced its 2022 Artistic Program.

It will deliver much to audiences – along with anticipation and excitement at being exposed to something new, there is joy in being able to support Australian artists.

For Patrice Sharkey, Artistic Director of ACE Open, “being in a position to support artists to think afresh and connect beyond borders feels more important than ever”.

“This is ACE’s sixth year of operation and I think we are now really finding our rhythm in understanding how to move between expansive curatorial investigations, large-scale new work by single artists and encounters with new South Australian talent,” said Patrice.

The 2022 Artistic Program continues ACE Open’s nurturing of artist careers to elevate their practice and foster conditions for critical engagement and explorations.

First to launch is the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition (17 February—19 March), showcasing the next generation of the state’s contemporary creative voices, with emerging artists from Flinders University and the University of South Australia.

This is followed up by Metaverse (9 April—14 May), featuring work by Roy Ananda, Giselle Stanborough and others.

Giselle Stanborough, ‘Cinopticon’ 2021, wall drawing (detail). Courtesy the artist.

Considering what it means on a human-level to be shaped and governed through the advent of the internet, it will have viewers questioning truth, reality and selfhood through its foretelling of dystopian visions.

The new South Australian talent touched on by Patrice includes Allison Chhorn, whose show confirms her as an important new artistic voice in our state.

In her site-specific filmic installation Skin Shade Night Day (4 June—13 August), the Cambodian-Australian filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist considers the cultural practices and rituals of the Cambodian diaspora.

Allison’s show is realised with the support of the 2022 Porter Street Commission.

“This annual award of $20,000 was launched last year and is a significant investment that allows selected South Australian artists to work at an ambitious scale,” says Patrice.

Ryan Presley’s exhibition Fresh Hell (3 September—29 October) brings together a suite of large-scale oil paintings to interrogate the ongoing colonial project by casting Aboriginal people as key protagonists in recent pasts and foreseeable futures.

Over eight years in development, it was co-commissioned with Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne.

“Both these artists will feature in our public program, with these projects currently under development,” Patrice says.

“From Allison, you can look forward to a community initiative centred around food to engage with local Southeast Asian communities, and a curated film program in response to themes in Skin Shade Night Day.

“Ryan’s project also promises to spark engagement and provoke discussion.

“For the third year running, ACE Open is partnering with fine print magazine, with Ryan’s response to Fresh Hell exploring power and religion through speech.”

Ryan Presley, The Dunes 2021 (detail). Photography by Carl Warner. Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane.

Public programs are an integral element of ACE Open’s showing, enriching visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the exhibitions on offer.

Studios: 2022 is the final exhibition in the program.

“The ACE Studio Program was launched in 2019 and we now end each year’s exhibition program by presenting a curated exhibition that offers the public a look into the work developed out of the studios over the past year,” says Patrice.

This highly contested initiative sees places awarded to those displaying strength in both artistic merit and commitment to their practice, and who are actively engaged in professional development or career opportunities during the program period.

“In 2022, we are investing even more into this showcase, with substantial new work commission fees supported by ACE Open Studio Donors Circle and a yet to be announced external interstate curator,” Patrice says.

It looks like it is going to be a very good year.

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Oakey, Resonance (2021), exhibition view, ACE Open. Photography by Thomas McCammon.