This page displays publications produced during the project, as well as related publications by research team members that were published before the project.
[Image: Mark Smith, Welcome, 2018, calico, cotton thread and stuffing, 110 x 55 x 34 cm. Monash University Museum of Art Collection. Image courtesy of Arts Project Australia.]
‘Variation’ is a term that embraces difference, and is core to the excitement and uniqueness of art practice. This book gives much deserved attention to the work of artists with exceptional and varied lived experiences – including neurodiversity, diverse mental health, incarceration, and refugee, migrant and Muslim backgrounds – to transform how we understand contemporary visual art. Readers will encounter new and familiar artists whose artworks and stories are visually impressive and deeply compelling. As this book argues, multiple factors in the art world, and in society more broadly – structural, institutional and historical barriers – have limited proper recognition of the scope of variation in contemporary art practice. Yet as this book demonstrates, the contemporary art world is much more vibrant, diverse, multifaceted and multidimensional than previous histories and canons have depicted. That’s why our central aim in this book is to provide a more diverse picture of contemporary art.
Reviews
‘a wave of new art books is challenging dominant narratives, such as Variations: A More Diverse Picture of Contemporary Art’ (Jane O’Sullivan, Art Guide Australia).
‘The artist’s voice is present throughout, with a mix of profiles and accounts to longer texts that delve into the deeper topics of social marginalisation and understanding of diverse artmaking in Australia today’ (Gina Fairley, Artshub.co.uk).
‘This ambitious book… gives voice – often denied – to artists not commonly represented in the art world machine of exhibition, critical writing and collecting… it is good and important to hear the voices not only of the artists themselves but also a number of critics writing from currently “decentred” positions’ (Colin Rhodes, Raw Vision).
‘rather than exoticizing eccentricity and seclusion… Variations: A More Diverse Picture of Contemporary Art… includes Indigenous artists, artists working through supported studios, Muslim artists, and artists from refugee backgrounds giving accounts of their own work and practice’ (Elyssia Bugg, un Magazine).
‘an attempt to think about the contemporary art world from the edges… to understand the barriers of entry that marginalised communities and individuals face’ (Safdar Ahmed, instagram.com/safdarnama/).
‘Explores the power of diversity in art… an important book’ (Arts Project Australia, threads.net/@artsprojectaust).
‘Variations reminds us of this deep need to express ourselves, despite all odds and obstacles, beyond all conventions, expectations and institutions – to find in that genuine diversity our common humanity, our truth’ (Shaun Tan, publishing.monash.edu).
‘an excellent book, beautifully produced, inspiring’ (Philip Hammial, co-founder of The Australian Collection of Outsider Art).
Recentring Australian Art 