Staying with the Trouble

Staying with the Trouble is an exhibition of large scale experimental drawings resulting from a year of discussions and critiques between four artists.

The four women are established artists, all with careers spanning at least 30 years. Between them they have taught at major art institutions and won significant prizes including the Adelaide Perry Drawing Award, the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, The Alice Prize and Sculpture at Scenic World.

Donna Haraway’s book ’Staying with the trouble’ asks us to stay with-in, live with-in and be with-in this planet: to take responsibility and action regarding the current crisis of life in our damaged world.

Each of the artists live on acreage and what began as a common theme around living on the land and concern for for landscape and its conservation evolved into considering their drawing practices as ’staying with the trouble’ of drawing. The exhibition is the result of monthly meetings to discuss common themes as well as to critique and offer advice about each artist's work. This unusual practice for professionals challenged them and led them through individual journeys of discomfort to experimentation and new approaches to their work.

The artists will travel to assist in installing these large scale works. They are available for artist talks and workshops according to a gallery’s needs.

Read a review of the exhibition by Sasha Griffin: 

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8145239/strong-artists-leave-graphic-mark/