Eva Rothschild

Eva Rothschild 

Continuing ACCA’s ongoing series of significant solo exhibitions by leading international artists, ACCA presents a major exhibition by Irish-born, London-based artist Eva Rothschild  from 28 September to 25 November, 2018.

The first Australian survey of Rothschild’s work, this timely exhibition comes ahead of her forthcoming representation of Ireland at the 2019 Venice Biennale, and brings together new sculptural commissions and recent work spanning the last decade of the artists diverse yet distinct practice.

Shaped by a myriad of influences from minimal art of the 1960s and 70s to classical architecture, spiritualism and pop-culture, Eva Rothschild has developed an international reputation for sculptural works that are both striking and spare, as sharp geometric forms morph into flamboyant, enigmatic compositions. Stripped of excess, Rothschild’s abstract arrangements draw the mind into spaces where power, ritual, the architectural and the existential intersect.

Alongside the artist’s interest in the materiality of sculpture – encompassing ideas of form, space and scale – is an attentiveness to the physical presence of the body and its role both in the act of making and experiencing an artwork. Rothschild’s arresting and at times eccentric forms, assembled from a variety of materials including concrete, leather, jesmonite, fabric and plastic, encourage a physical and aesthetic response from the viewer, as they navigate their own corporeality in proximity to the work, the composition of the exhibition, and the architecture of the gallery.

Several works consider the social potential of sculpture as open-form spaces and informal social settings in which to convene and converse; while others serve as spatial interruptions or thresholds, reorienting the passage and behaviour of the viewer. As a mise-en-scene or backdrop for performance, Rothschild’s installations also invite the idea of the chance encounter, as spaces in which to reflect, watch, dream and act.

Eva Rothschild has exhibited widely since the early 2000s, following post-graduate studies at Goldsmith’s College, London and an earlier degree at the University of Ulster, Belfast. Recent solo exhibitions include Iceberg Hits, Stuart Shave/Modern Art, London, 2018; A Material Enlightenment, 303 Gallery, New Work, 2017; Alternative to Power, The New Art Gallery Walsall, 2016; A Gated Community, Sonneveld House, Rotterdam, 2016; and Sightings, Nasher Sclpture Center, Dallas 2012. Rothschild was awarded the 2012 Children’s Art Commission at London’s Whitechapel Gallery and the 2009 Duveen Commission by Tate Britain. In 2011 she was commissioned to produce a new public work, Empire, for New York’s Public Art Fund.

Performances and events

Eva Rothschild and Max Delany in Conversation

Eva Rothschild will discuss new and recent sculptural works with ACCA Artistic Director/CEO Max Delany on Saturday 22nd September, 3–4pm, at the National Gallery of Victoria.  Rothschild will explore some of the contexts which inform her work, including her interest in the social aspect of sculpture and play, along with the influence in minimalism, classical architecture and popular culture.

Presented with the National Gallery of Victoria in association with the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

CUTOUT – by Jo Lloyd

A one-night only performance at ACCA on Monday 1 October, 6:30pm developed by Melbourne choreographer Jo Lloyd with costumes designed by Eva Rothschild in collaboration with Andrew Treloar.  Featuring ten dancers in dialogue with Rothschild’s installation, CUTOUT explores ideas of urbanism, augmented landscapes, borrowed scenery, shared fictions and the endeavour of pilgrimage.

About ACCA’s International Artist Series

An annual exhibition focused on bringing exhibitions and projects to Australia by influential artists currently presenting works on the world-stage, the ACCA International series has previously presented survey exhibitions by internationally-renowned artists such as Kader Attia, Gerard Byrne, Berlinde de Bruyckere, Ryan Gander, Douglas Gordon, Jenny Holzer, Joseph Kosuth, Barbara Kruger and Pipilotti Rist.

About ACCA

A leading producer of contemporary visual art in Australia, ACCA is a centre for the artistic and wider communities to participate in a critically engaged contemporary art culture. Established in 1983 and situated in an iconic, award-winning architecturally designed building in Melbourne’s Southbank arts precinct, ACCA is known for the outstanding quality of its programs, its capacity to bring inspiring Australian and international art to wide audiences, and its focus on commissioning new works by Australian and international artists.

Eva Rothschild: Kosmos

Curated by Max Delany and Annika Kristensen, and presented in association with the City Gallery Wellington and the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Exhibition dates: Friday 28 September – Sunday 25 November 2018
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 10am–5pm, Weekends 11am–5pm
Entry is always free