The Shilo project
26 Nov 2009 — 12 Mar 2010
Artists include: John Aslanidis, Peter Atkins, Del Kathryn Barton, Louise Blyton, Angela Brennan, Fiona Cabassi, Mitch Cairns, Jon Campbell, Jon Cattapan, Julia Ciccarone, Greg Creek, Adam Cullen, Ivan Durrant, Chris Dyson, Juan Ford, Matthys Gerber, Louise Forthun, Elizabeth Gower, Nicholas Harding, Melinda Harper, Euan Heng, Lily Hibberd, Raafat Ishak, Robert Jacks, Matthew Johnson, Caroline Kennedy, Jess Johnson, Dinni Kunoth Kemarre, Josie Kunoth Petyarre
Curator: Chris McAuliffe
The Shilo project is based on Neil Diamond’s 1970 album. Its cover features a connect-the-dots portrait of Diamond for fans to complete. The project invites up to 100 contemporary Australian artists to complete a ‘blank’ cover and displays their sleeves alongside others found in op shops that were completed by unknown individuals.
This kaleidoscopic exhibition of art and record sleeves is a tribute to pop idols, classic tunes, record collectors, fans, and vinyl. At the same time, it poses conceptual challenges to artists. The original sleeve promises an image of Neil Diamond but doesn’t deliver: When is a portrait not a portrait? Completing the puzzle reveals the portrait but may trash the sleeve.