OK Democracy, We Need to Talk

Who said art isn’t political? With the federal election happening this month, Campbelltown Arts Centre is taking a stand, with a new exhibition that aims to encourage open discussion about democracy and its future. Drawing inspiration from the idea of free media as a pillar of democracy, ten artists explore themes surrounding identity politics, environmental issues, political structures, economies of labour, currency and nationalism. Highlights include Pakistani-born, Western Sydney-based artist Abdullah MI Syed, who turns currencies into clothing to question the power invested in politicians; Eugenia Raskopoulos, who remembers lives lost in the pursuit of a free press; and Richard Bell, who takes his work, Embassy 2019: Venice. ART. IN. ACTION, to the Venice Biennale this year.