At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present, and to those emerging leaders in the community. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.

Always was, always will be.

Galleries are open today, 10am–5pm. Our exhibitions are always free.

Performance Lecture: The archive of we

Performance Lecture: The archive of we

Join exhibiting artist Fernando do Campo as he presents The archive of we, a performance lecture that discusses the knotted histories we come across in urban multispecies encounters. The presentation focuses on the House Sparrow Society for Humans (HSSH) archives, an entity that the artist has been working with as an amateur volunteer historian since 2015. Fernando will share a box of slides and correspondence between the HSSH and the Abstract Expressionist American painter Barnett Newman in the 1950s. The archive of we is part of the exhibition To companion a companion, a solo exhibition by Fernando do Campo at PICA from 9 August – 9 October 2022.

To companion a companion is an exhibition of new work by that proposes the human as the companion species to birds. do Campo argues for ‘companioning’ as an artistic strategy realised through painting and archiving, listening and non-verbal forms of responding, and performing parafictions. Through these strategies, do Campo invites viewers to listen, watch, and respond to companion species in their immediate environment.

Registration is essential to attend, please complete the RSVP form below to secure your place. Please note capacity is restricted.

Fernando do Campo (b. Mar del Plata, Argentina 1987) is an artist based in Sydney. Fernando has presented solo exhibitions in Australia and the USA and group exhibitions internationally. He has received grants from the Australian Regional Arts Fund, Arts Tasmania, Ian Potter Cultural Trust, Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW and The New School. He is a Sir General John Monash Foundation Scholar. Fernando is currently Artist-in-Residence at the State Library of NSW and  represented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Sydney.

Supporters

To companion a companion is presented by project partners CAT – Hobart 2021, UNSW Galleries – Sydney 2021, PICA – Perth 2022
This project was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Image: Barnett and Annalee Newman birdwatching at Central Park, circa 1952. Courtesy of the Barnett and Annalee Newman Foundation, Manhattan