stablished in 1988, the biennial Melbourne Art Fair began as part of
the bicentennial celebrations to highlight the cultural contribution of
Australian artists. In addition to its invitation-only and closely
vetted selection criteria, arguably the most important contribution
made by the Art Fair is the stipulation that 80% of exhibited work be
from living artists, with only original contemporary art post-1970
admitted. It remains the pre-eminent event of its type in Australia,
allowing private and corporate collectors, dealers, curators, and
public institutions to view and acquire work from both established and
emerging artists, and to gauge the merits of that work within a broader
regional context.
Pip McManus explores a new direction| author: Dr Julia Jones
Ichor: the ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of
the gods, but poisonous to mortals (Gk)
Pip McManus’ Ichor video is mesmerising.
A golden unfired clay figure, enlarged on-screen, very slowly
disintegrates in water. Every nuance and escaping air bubble draws the
viewer’s entranced attention.
