The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre

The Kerry Packer Civic Gallery: Where Art meets Democracy, Diversity and our Future

At home among Adelaide’s West End contemporary art scene The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre’s Kerry Packer Civic Gallery offers a vibrant exhibition programme, showcasing up and coming local talent, as well as international rising stars.

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre’s Executive Director, Jacinta Thompson states that: “A unique point of difference to us and other galleries is that being a civic gallery we are supporting community groups to convey important social messages. These groups are often under-represented in the mainstream arts, and indeed the wider community”.

“In that respect, we have the privilege to support community groups who embrace art as a means of political or self-expression – giving a voice to those who would otherwise not have that opportunity – such as students, refugees, people with disabilities, and those living in supported care”.

She acknowledges that: “Community groups are often overwhelmed by the chance to present their work in this beautiful space – it provides them with the assurance and self esteem that their artwork, and to that end their voice, is valued in our community. It is of course a win-win as we are likewise grateful to present such a unique and exhilarating mix of contemporary art.”

The Gallery supports an “anything goes” attitude, encouraging artists and groups to be inspired and maximise the full scope of the exhibition space. Most recently, Kenyan street artists creatively took advantage of that opportunity – painting a larger than life mural of the Late Nelson Mandela – the Centre’s first International Patron, directly onto the white-washed walls. The Stories exhibition later this year, will once again expand the possibilities of this unique space.

There is striking diversity in the exhibition programme but one thing is constant – exhibitions must reflect the themes of The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre: Strengthening our Democracy – Valuing our Diversity – Building our Future. Jacinta Thompson explains: “It is fascinating to see how artists lend themselves to these ideas – and use art to showcase their own interpretation of these concepts. Collectively, their work contributes to a creative patchwork – that innovates and constantly expands our understanding of these themes.”

Over the next few months, the programme will include Indigenous artists, Chinese typography and emerging Afghan artists.

Upcoming exhibitions:

Stories, 3 – 26 Jul

Nikki C – Creation Story

Everyone has a story, everything has a story and everywhere, every place has a story. Each and every story is unique to that person, object, time and place; yet somehow they are all linked. We may all have different stories but through time and space we are connected, we share similar experiences, have comparable goals and ambitions in our lives and connect in a myriad of ways. Objects tell their own story, whether bought new or second hand or inherited they absorb our energy and tell their own story as well as reflecting our personality.

Place is significant for many reasons, it may be where we were conceived or born or grew up, it may have historical value perhaps a massacre or war was fought on it. It may be a sacred place to Aboriginal people or house a unique and endangered species such as the Platypus.  All land is a sacred living entity that needs to be respected, revered and protected. Its stories need to be told just like ours do as it is cathartic for us to share and educational for others to receive. Stories are the corner stone of our culture, they are “Us”, our “Country”, our past, present and future.

Fly Away, 2 – 30 Aug

Elyas Alavi – Chasing Refugee

‘Fly Away’ is an interdisciplinary exhibition, with Adelaide based artist and poet Elyas Alavi facilitating a series of workshops with seven emerging Afghan artists who are studying visual arts at the University of South Australia.

Artists will create works inspired by the themes of this project, which include: identity, connection, memory and the refugee experience.

This exhibition aims to promote diversity and the value of the arts to the Afghan community, while also recognising the value and power of artistic expression through the artwork on display.

To Tell Another’s Story: Australian Refugee Association (ARA) Portrait Exhibition 2017, 2 – 30 Aug

ARA’s fourth annual portrait exhibition is a collection of work that portrays images and stories of people from refugee backgrounds. It honours the thousands of refugees they walk alongside each year as they face the challenges and joys of building a new life in South Australia.

The exhibition encapsulates themes of multiculturalism, human rights, cultural diversity and anti-racism.

’til Death, 4 – 13 Sep

Dying is a universal truth, an objective reality, it belongs to us all; it is as certain as the death of a cut flower. This exhibition looks at the frailty of life, its poignancy, disturbing beauty and inevitabilities.  Flowers that enter hospice travel parallel paths with those to whom they belong. They are allegories for emotions so often hidden, but universally understood, and for the process of change that dying is.

As practitioners in this most intimate of settings, we are privy to glimpses through unguarded doors, or down long hospital corridors, of raw emotion, quiet despair and immeasurable strength. Momentary visions that once seen, are impossible to forget. As carers, and the cared for, we are deeply connected.

This exhibition seeks to avoid the constraints of language and connect directly with emotion, establishing a space for conversation for everyone travelling this path.

A path we will all eventually tread.

Li Xu – Chinese Typographic Poster Design
Playing a Character, 18 – 29 Sep

Travelling through time and space, the ‘character’ plays a vital role in the dissemination of information and exchange of ideas. This exhibition by Associate Professor Li Xu from the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, is a poster exploration of Chinese characters. It presents a Chinese approach in the use of typography, developed to facilitate understanding of Chinese culture and inspire new typographic approaches through the poster medium.

There is also the opportunity to catch up on The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre’s recent events, by accessing podcasts or videos from the ‘Relive our Events’ section on the Hawke Centre website – including Dr Michael Mosley discussing his new book The Clever Guts Diet; A Journey to Justice: The State of Justice in a Global Context – an examination of prison systems from around the world – and suggestions for reform; and the 2017 ARA Oration with Reverend Tim Costello.

Find out more about the Hawke Centre and keep up-to-date with its latest programme.