Jo Higgins

August 13, 2022

Writings

ABC Arts: Megan Cope is building a living, breathing artwork on Minjerribah

Jo Higgins

August 13, 2022

Writings

Earlier this year, I travelled to Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) for several days with ABC Arts colleague producer Richard Mockler, to cover the next step in the latest project by acclaimed artist and Quandamooka woman Megan Cope.

Megan Cope planting oyster poles on Minjerribah in May 2022.

These three days, being on Country with Megan, talking with the other artists and subject matter experts collaborating with her to realise kinyingarra kuwinyamba, was a profoundly special experience - one I will never forget.

My article about Megan and her project, and the experience of being there, has just been published by ABC Arts here.

The story also ran on ABC TV’s Art Works this last week (available on iview) and is viewable via ABC Arts YouTube below.

Exhibition essay: Topographies of painting - Gregory Hodge, Sullivan + Strumpf

Jo Higgins

July 21, 2022

Writings, Events

Several months ago, Paris-based, Australian painter Gregory Hodge commissioned me to write an essay responding to his latest body of work, which features in his new exhibition Figures, Lights and Landscapes, which has just opened at Sullivan + Strumpf in Sydney.

The invitation - and opportunity - to respond instinctively, creatively and historically to the many layers of meaning in his work was such a (terrifying) gift.

You can read my essay here.

And on Saturday 30 July I’ll be in conversation with Greg at the Sullivan + Strumpf for the opening, alongside artist Julia Gutman and curator Elyse Goldfinch.

ABC Arts: Richard Bell at documenta fifteen

Jo Higgins

July 2, 2022

Writings

Richard Bell’s Tent Embassy in front of Kassel’s Friedericianum as part of documenta fifteen, 2022.

Last month I travelled to Kassel, Germany to attend documenta fifteen. Curated by Indonesian collective ruangrupa, this iteration of the major quinquennial exhibition features the work of acclaimed Aboriginal artist Richard Bell.

I had the extraordinary privilege to speak with Richard while I was in Kassel and to write about my experience for ABC Arts.

You can read the article here.

SOME DOCUMENTA HIGHLIGHTS:

National Gallery of Australia: Digital Young Writers Mentorship

Jo Higgins

February 28, 2022

News

I am incredibly excited to be working with the National Gallery of Australia this year to pilot a Digital Young Writers Mentorship Program.

This program will pair five, young, aspiring arts writers from across the country with mentors including Jane O’Sullivan, Nur Shkembi, Andy Butler, Tian Zhang and Tristen Harwood for a series of masterclasses, industry insight sessions and paid writing briefs, alongside their 1:1 mentoring.

In consultation with the Gallery, the mentorship program has been designed to address identified challenges facing young people looking to enter the sector, including a lack of paid professional development opportunities; the need for supported communities of like-minded creatives; as well as platforms for their voices to be heard in dialogue with major institutions.

Applications have opened and you can read more about the project on ArtsHub here.

Journal of Museum Education article: "Pockets of Resilience - the Digital Responses of Youth Collectives in Contemporary Art Museums During Lockdown."

Jo Higgins

January 5, 2022

News

Last year I had the opportunity to speak with academic and research Dr Carolina Silva for her paper looking at the different responses of youth collectives at contemporary art museums around the world to the COVID-19 pandemic and mass closure of cultural institutions.

MCA GENEXT Goes Online was one of three case studies she examined.

(In a coming full circle career moment the other two programs Silva profiles are the Whitechapel Gallery’s Duchamp & Sons, who were part of the Louis Vuitton Young Arts Project; and MOCA Teens at Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art; and whose program managers, Michelle Antonisse and Jorge Espinosa, I had the huge privilege of learning with last year as part of a peer learning community with the Walker Art Center.)

You can access the article, which appears is in Vol.46, Issue 4, by clicking on the cover image.

ABC Arts: Megan Cope is building a living, breathing artwork on Minjerribah

OTHER POSTS

Exhibition essay: Topographies of painting - Gregory Hodge, Sullivan + Strumpf

OTHER POSTS

ABC Arts: Richard Bell at documenta fifteen

SOME DOCUMENTA HIGHLIGHTS:

OTHER POSTS

National Gallery of Australia: Digital Young Writers Mentorship

OTHER POSTS

Journal of Museum Education article: "Pockets of Resilience - the Digital Responses of Youth Collectives in Contemporary Art Museums During Lockdown."

OTHER POSTS