Newell Harry
MAMA’s latest exhibition, Esperanto, featuring internationally celebrated contemporary artist Newell Harry, an Australian artist with South African and Mauritian heritage, marks a significant milestone for the museum as their first major solo exhibition of a contemporary Australian artist. Drawing from his extensive travels throughout Australia, South Africa, Vanuatu and the wider Asia-Pacific region, Harry’s work delves into themes of exchange, value, race, language and identity within the context of the Indo-Pacific region. Esperanto presents the most immersive showcase of Harry’s practice, intertwining ideas and narratives that touch on pivotal moments in Australian, South African and Indo-Pacific histories. The exhibition aims to foster cross-cultural conversations that transcend geographical boundaries and linguistic differences, drawing inspiration from the utopian internationalist language known as Esperanto, created in the 1880s. It invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of identity, challenge established narratives and actively engage in the global dialogue of contemporary art. Esperanto is a thought-provoking and inspiring contribution to the global art landscape, aligning with MAMA’s vision of showcasing contemporary art at the forefront of dialogue. Esperanto continues until November 26, 2023.
