Released on 5 May 2006

Exhibition “Supernatural Artificial”
contemporary photo-based art from Australia
(11-21 May 2006)

Hanoi - The Australian Embassy presents an exhibition of contemporary photo-based art from Australia entitled Supernatural Artificial, to be launched by the Australian Ambassador, Mr Bill Tweddell, on Wednesday 10 May, 5.00 pm at the Fine Arts Museum of Vietnam, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi.

Alexie Glass, Senior Curator and Director of Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces will lead a discussion on 'Supernatural Artificial: Australian Photography Today' at the exhibition hall, Fine Arts Museum at 9.30 am, Thursday 11 May. Admission is free and all welcome.

Curated by Natalie King, Supernatural Artificial examines the notion of artificial fabrication and staging in photo-based media. Presenting the work of nine Australian leading artists in photography and video, Supernatural Artificial is a highly charged and moody exhibition, which uncovers the unnatural and theatrical in contemporary photographic practice. Mixing equal parts fantasy and reality, each artist choreographs intense and strange scenarios, imbuing their images with unsettling drama and potency. Nine contemporary Australian Artists: Pat Brassington, Cherine Fahd, Eliza Hutchison, Tracey Moffat, David Noonan & Simon Trevaks, Darren Siwes, Darren Sylvester, Monika Tichacek, and Anne Zahalka deploy narrative images tinged with psychological elements to create magical, supernatural and fake worlds.

Supernatural Artificial was initially developed by the Asialink Centre of the University of Melbourne and Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces, and has been exhibited in Tokyo, Bangkok and Dhaka. The Australian Embassy is delighted to present this exhibition in Hanoi as part of its ongoing public affairs and cultural relations program. The exhibition is generously supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Supernatural Artificial will be on view at the exhibition hall of Fine Arts Museum of Vietnam, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi until 21 May. The museum opens daily from 8.30-17.00, opens till 21.00 hrs every Wednesday and Saturday, closes on Monday.

For more information, please contact:
Nguyen Thi Thanh An, Public Affairs and Cultural Relations Manager
Tel. 04-8317755 Ext. 302 or Mobile: 0903423440

Digital photos of works are available upon request