The Scene is the seen is an exhibition, performance and critical writing event of emerging and mid-career South Australian practitioners exploring the potent relationship between text and art.

Artists Virginia Barratt, Emma Beech, Nicole Clift, Bridget Currie, Honor Freeman, Ray Harris, Heidi Kenyon, Sue Kneebone, Monte Masi, Jess Miley, Nathan Peacock, Derek Sargent, Kaspar Schmidt Mumm, Cynthia Schwertsik and Inneke Taalman will respond to a curated selection of writing from notable artists and theorists.

Each artist will conceive an ambitious work that transforms meaning and translation whilst echoing the principles of the original text.

“This exhibition is an extraordinary survey of emerging and mid-career artists who work across a multitude of platforms. The Scene is the seen is a timely presentation as it focuses on the diverse approaches artists take when considering such rich themes,” says co-curator Rayleen Forester.

Each piece of writing in the exhibition touches on themes of ongoing critical and artistic concern – nostalgia, displacement, identity, culture and language, and the artists will be challenged to experiment with the very process of art making whilst considering the creative potential of language.

Holy Rollers will also extend its exhibition program to include its first experimental writing workshop reflecting on the exhibition artworks hosted by Writers SA.

Cynthia Schwertsik, Bird Life, from the series Future Incarnations (2019), performative interventions. Photography Jennifer Hofmann

The exhibition will conclude on Saturday, 21 September with an epic performance night from SA’s leading cross-disciplinary artists.

“The Scene is the seen uses its thematic approach to provide an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a diverse group of talented local artists through exhibited works and a succession of live performances,” co-curator Ray Harris says.

“Enhanced by the poetry night, writing workshop and accompanying catalogue texts, this event highlights the wealth and depth of Adelaide’s artistic community.”

The Scene is the seen opens at Holy Roller Studios on Tuesday, 27 August fro 6pm ’til 9pm and runs right through to Saturday, 21 September. For more information, see the event page.