These individuals are not only makers but also thinkers, writers, curators, critics, and institutional figures—a cohort of contemporary polymaths who actively challenge the separation between artistic creation and cultural discourse.
Following its first edition in 2018, this second iteration of The Discontents reflects a shift in focus, in some cases shaped by the artists’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are no longer simply art world protagonists who maintain a studio practice; making now constitutes the core, if not the entirety, of their output. Yet their histories of operating at the intersections of production, theory, and mediation remain evident, with polymathic methodologies that are fluid, diverse, and grounded in a complex ecology of thought.
Featuring Matthew Collings, Zavier Ellis, Sarah Kent & Sharon Leahy-Clark, Michael Petry, Max Presneill, David Risley, and Rebecca Scott, the exhibition does not seek to unify these diverse voices into a single narrative. Instead, it highlights interwoven concerns—identity, histories, and socio-political contexts—that resonate across their practices. Each artist navigates the complex interplay between the personal and the political, reflecting the multifaceted nature of contemporary cultural discourse.
The Private View will include a performance by Sarah Kent and Sharon Leahy-Clark, where they will create a collaborative work live.
The Discontents: Part II press release
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