The Island    Newcastle Art Gallery 18 February - 7 May 2017   This solo exhibition contemplates and questions Australia’s role in the asylum debate. ‘The Island’ as a concept can be a safe place of refuge, isolated geographically and ideologi

The Island 
Newcastle Art Gallery
18 February - 7 May 2017

This solo exhibition contemplates and questions Australia’s role in the asylum debate. ‘The Island’ as a concept can be a safe place of refuge, isolated geographically and ideologically from the humanitarian challenges the world is currently grappling with. Alternatively it can take on a more sinister tone as a place deserted for those who have survived a perilous sea journey only to be marooned, stateless, detained, looking to the horizon for help.

In Europe today, the mass movement of refugees and asylum seekers displaced by war and poverty is history repeated. Where once immigrants were embraced as a means to drive the health and economy of nations, today we turn inwards as the ideology of walls and fences become potent political capital. Seton  transforms and manipulates his marble sculptures into emphatic motifs and metaphors of these current socio-political themes and narratives. 

Photography: Mark Pokorny

   Odyssey   2014 5.1 surround sound stereo, laptop mixer, single light bulb Infinite soundscape  The immersive sound installation  Odyssey  is a perpetually evolving computerised soundscape recreating the harrowing sounds of being caught in a h

Odyssey 2014
5.1 surround sound stereo, laptop mixer, single light bulb
Infinite soundscape

The immersive sound installation Odyssey is a perpetually evolving computerised soundscape recreating the harrowing sounds of being caught in a heavy storm at sea. The work premiered at Linden Centre for Contemporary Art as part of Last Resort. A single globe hanging in the centre of the room provided the only visual focus for the audience to gather together and listen to the tumult.

02 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
   Someone died trying to have a life like mine   2013 Wombeyan marble, nylon webbing dimensions variable

Someone died trying to have a life like mine 2013
Wombeyan marble, nylon webbing
dimensions variable

04 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
05 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
   Seeking Safe Harbour   2015 Bianco Carrara marble, rope 101.0 x 101.0 x 65.0cm

Seeking Safe Harbour 2015
Bianco Carrara marble, rope
101.0 x 101.0 x 65.0cm

08 Alex Seton_Feb2017_Folded Zodiak_Someone Else's Problem_Life Vest.jpg
   Last Resort   2014 Wombeyan marble dimensions variable

Last Resort 2014
Wombeyan marble
dimensions variable

06 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
   Paper Armada   2015 Bianco Carrara marble dimensions variable

Paper Armada 2015
Bianco Carrara marble
dimensions variable

   Oilstone 04_Saturated   2016 Bianco Carrara marble, engine oil, glass tank 47 x 98 x 24cm

Oilstone 04_Saturated 2016
Bianco Carrara marble, engine oil, glass tank
47 x 98 x 24cm

14 Alex Seton_Feb2017_Oilstone 04_Saturated 2016_Newcastle Art Gallery2.jpg
  The Island    Newcastle Art Gallery 18 February - 7 May 2017   This solo exhibition contemplates and questions Australia’s role in the asylum debate. ‘The Island’ as a concept can be a safe place of refuge, isolated geographically and ideologi
   Odyssey   2014 5.1 surround sound stereo, laptop mixer, single light bulb Infinite soundscape  The immersive sound installation  Odyssey  is a perpetually evolving computerised soundscape recreating the harrowing sounds of being caught in a h
02 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
   Someone died trying to have a life like mine   2013 Wombeyan marble, nylon webbing dimensions variable
04 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
05 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
   Seeking Safe Harbour   2015 Bianco Carrara marble, rope 101.0 x 101.0 x 65.0cm
08 Alex Seton_Feb2017_Folded Zodiak_Someone Else's Problem_Life Vest.jpg
   Last Resort   2014 Wombeyan marble dimensions variable
06 Alex Seton_Feb2017_The Island_Newcastle Art Gallery.jpg
   Paper Armada   2015 Bianco Carrara marble dimensions variable
   Oilstone 04_Saturated   2016 Bianco Carrara marble, engine oil, glass tank 47 x 98 x 24cm
14 Alex Seton_Feb2017_Oilstone 04_Saturated 2016_Newcastle Art Gallery2.jpg

The Island 
Newcastle Art Gallery
18 February - 7 May 2017

This solo exhibition contemplates and questions Australia’s role in the asylum debate. ‘The Island’ as a concept can be a safe place of refuge, isolated geographically and ideologically from the humanitarian challenges the world is currently grappling with. Alternatively it can take on a more sinister tone as a place deserted for those who have survived a perilous sea journey only to be marooned, stateless, detained, looking to the horizon for help.

In Europe today, the mass movement of refugees and asylum seekers displaced by war and poverty is history repeated. Where once immigrants were embraced as a means to drive the health and economy of nations, today we turn inwards as the ideology of walls and fences become potent political capital. Seton  transforms and manipulates his marble sculptures into emphatic motifs and metaphors of these current socio-political themes and narratives. 

Photography: Mark Pokorny

Odyssey 2014
5.1 surround sound stereo, laptop mixer, single light bulb
Infinite soundscape

The immersive sound installation Odyssey is a perpetually evolving computerised soundscape recreating the harrowing sounds of being caught in a heavy storm at sea. The work premiered at Linden Centre for Contemporary Art as part of Last Resort. A single globe hanging in the centre of the room provided the only visual focus for the audience to gather together and listen to the tumult.

Someone died trying to have a life like mine 2013
Wombeyan marble, nylon webbing
dimensions variable

Seeking Safe Harbour 2015
Bianco Carrara marble, rope
101.0 x 101.0 x 65.0cm

Last Resort 2014
Wombeyan marble
dimensions variable

Paper Armada 2015
Bianco Carrara marble
dimensions variable

Oilstone 04_Saturated 2016
Bianco Carrara marble, engine oil, glass tank
47 x 98 x 24cm

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