Biennial attracts record numbers

More than 110,000 people visited the 2014 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, a 10 percent increase on 2012’s numbers.

The Art Gallery of South Australia will purchase 10 works from the 2014 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Dark Heart, for its permanent collection. These include Alex Seton’s Someone died trying to have a life like mine, as well as three works by Brendan Huntley and two by Dani Marti. Other Dark Heart purchases by the Art Gallery include moving image works from Del Kathryn Barton and Brendan Fletcher, Shoufay Derz and Richard Lewer.

Aside from the aforementioned works, Dark Heart, which finished yesterday (Sunday, May 11), was notable for its out-of-site knockouts such as Skywhale and Ian Strange’s Landed sculpture on North Tce.

Art Gallery Director and Dark Heart Curator Nick Mitzevich (pictured) said these off-site works, which included Caroline Rothwell at the Botanic Garden, expanded the reach of the 2014 Adelaide Biennial.

“Dark Heart also commanded more Gallery floor space than ever before, extending across three levels, and again broadening our reach,” he said in a press release.

Mitzevich will hand over the 2016 curatorial reins to the 2014 Managing Curator Lisa Slade, who is also the Art Gallery’s Project Curator.

“Lisa’s extensive network of contemporary artists, writers and academics across the country will enhance the Biennial’s national status,” Mitzevich said in a press release.

More information about the 2016 Adelaide Biennial will be released early next year.

adelaidebiennial.com.au