"CAGED"

Belconnen Gallery

4-15 February 2008

The latest MultiFocus exhibition "Caged" will be staged in conjunction with the 2008 National Multicultural Festival at the Belconnen Art Gallery from 4 - 15 February.

"Caged" is the tenth in MultiFocus series of commentaries on contemporary social and political issues. It examines the positive, protective role of cages in relation to domesticity, environment and pets. It highlights the social implications surrounding the confines of marriage ceremonies and commemorations of death. It considers the psychological containment of personally imposed restrictions, and it assesses the adverse effects of officially sanctioned physical incarceration.

The seven participating artists are Marlene Lux (Chile), Tamara Makeev OAM (Russia) , Jennifer Kathleen Phillips (New Zealand), Marianne Pietersen (Netherlands), Lulu Respall-Turner (Philippines) , Barb Smith (Australia), and Petra Weber (South Africa).

The group was formed in 1997 when five women photographers from different cultural backgrounds decided to organise a photographic exhibition to celebrate their diversity. Visions and Reflections - Women in multiculturalism was shown in the National capital Artists’ Association (ANCA) Gallery in Dickson during the 1998 National Multicultural Festival. Although the group’s membership has since changed and expanded, its exploration of the migrant experience has continued, and its association with Canberra’s Multicultural Festival has been maintained.

The exhibition will be officially opened by Mary Porter AM MLA Labor Member for Ginninderra on Tuesday 5 February from 6.00 pm - 8.30 pm and will be open Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 am - 4.30 pm.

"CAGED"

Belconnen Gallery

Belconnen Community Centre

Cnr Chandler St and Swanson Crt

4-15 February 2007

Attached:

"Socialisation Cage" by Jennifer Phillips

"What Should Be Caged" by Jennifer Phillips