Congratulations to Alexa Malizon and Joshua Ophel, ANU School of Art & Design alumni, who have been selected to exhibit their work at Hatched: National Graduate Show 2021.

Hatched returns to PICA for its 30th spin around the sun. This highly anticipated group exhibition is a staple in art makers and art lovers’ annual calendars. The reason is simple – Hatched is the only exhibition in the country that offers a national overview of the zeitgeist being set by Australia’s most exciting tertiary art school graduates.

From 8 May, 24 of Australia’s most promising emerging artists will take over the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), filling its galleries to the brim with their most accomplished works to date.

“2021 is shaping up to be a huge year at Hatched as artists respond to the global upheavals of 2020. The works on display were produced during lockdowns and extended periods of isolation. However, what arises from this time is a strong focus on community spirit as well as reflections on the conventions of society, art history and overall contemporary culture at a time where social norms are increasingly challenged. Using everyday materials sourced from their immediate environments, including flannelette sheets, aluminium, and domestic furniture items, the artists in Hatched 2021 will demonstrate their capacity to flourish creatively. This year’s Hatched will be, amongst other things, a reflection on the resilience of arts practice in Australia, against all odds.” – Miranda Johnson, Hatched Curatorial Fellow.

Each year, PICA works with a changing panel of industry leaders who undertake the difficult task of

assessing applications and making the final selection of Hatched artists. This year’s panel, who reviewed 55 nominations, included; Clare Armitage, Assistant Curator of Art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory; Dean Cross, Artist, NSW; Patrice Sharkey, Artistic Director, ACE Open, SA; and Sarah Wall, Curator, PICA.

“Exhibiting in Hatched was one of the highlights of my early career. It was exciting to be amongst so many other talented artists. And now, having been on the selection panel, I am still excited about the calibre of art and artists that the Australian continent is producing.” – Dean Cross

A whole range of mediums and practices will be seen in Hatched 2021 with installation, digital art,

performance, and site-specific works taking the forefront this year. Australia’s cultural diversity is also very much reflected, with artists referencing Noongar, Polynesian/Solomon Islands, Hong Kong, Indian, Korean and Filipino culture. For example, Alexa Malizon (ACT) brings us insight into the lived cultural experience of existing within a Filipino-Australian diaspora. She uses karaoke videos, reality TV tropes and the language of social media to explore ideas of cultural shame and miscommunication in humorous and immediately recognisable ways.

In 2021, PICA celebrates 30 years of supporting emerging artists at that critical post-university stage, through its Hatched National Graduate Show. Since establishing Hatched in 1992 PICA, has worked with generations of makers and watched many of them establish themselves as leading artists with enduring practices. This year also marks 12 years since the inauguration of the Schenberg Art Fellowship, which is presented in partnership with the University of Western Australia. This fellowship of $50,000 is presented to one outstanding Hatched artist and has grown to be the most significant award for visual arts graduates in Australia.

Exhibition continues Saturday 8 May – Sunday 11 July

PICA Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts

51 James Street, Perth WA 6000