Bundanon Art Museum




(1) Smoke Chain, 2023, Bronze 190 x 82 x 47 cm

(2) Pavilion, 2023, timber, white rags, beeswax, pigment, acrylic paint, spray paint, mouldable plastic, epoxy modelling compound, cotton rope and ecrylimer
372 x 170 x 140 cm

(3) Thick Fight, 2023, epoxy modelling compound, synthetic resin solvent-based enamel, timber, vinyl paint
203 x 87 x 65 cm
Exhibition Statement
2023
Colourful, abundant and brimming with shapes that sway, teeter and slump, Fantastic Forms celebrates the endless creativity of the human imagination through drawing, ceramics, sculpture and animation.

The starting point for fantastic forms is the expansive selection of multi-hued drawings and curvilinear ceramics by Merric Boyd, collected by his son, Arthur Boyd, which form a cornerstone of the Bundanon Collection. Bringing this lyrical work into conversation with the very different practices of three living Australian artists, fantastic forms explores the joy of artmaking and its connection to everyday life.

The exhibition features over 200 works from the Bundanon Collection in dialogue with new large-scale sculptures by Nabilah Nordin, a series of ceramic figures by Stephen Benwell and stop-motion videos by emerging Bundjalung artist Rubyrose Bancroft. Beginning with Merric Boyd’s idiosyncratic approach to artmaking, fantastic forms expands from well-known ceramic work into his energetic and playful drawing practice, all of which was underpinned by the spiritual philosophy of love and connection that ran through his life and work.
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