A Storm is Brewing

Loutherberg

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is proud to announce that its major new exhibition Tempest, conceived and developed by internationally acclaimed curator Juliana Engberg, will be a highlight of the 2016 Dark Mofo program.

With its roots in the Shakespearean play of the same name, Tempest will transform the museum’s galleries into a world of shipwrecks and stormy seas, romance, discovery, tragedy and magic, creating a new and exciting experience for visitors this winter.

Historic works from TMAG and other state collections will be shown alongside contemporary works by international and Australian artists including Tacita Dean, Valerie Sparks, Fiona Tan, William Kentridge, Victor Alimpiev, Hernan Bas, Mariele Neudecker, Rodney Graham, Pat Brassington, Rosemary Laing, Paul Wood, Ricky Swallow, Kit Wise and David Stephenson.

Visitors to TMAG will begin their journey through Tempest by entering the whimsical and evocative Prospero’s Library in the iconic Central Gallery, before they follow a ‘tempestuous’ trail throughout the museum’s temporary galleries, permanent exhibitions and transitional spaces.

A rich and dynamic public program will accompany the exhibition, with TMAG partnering with local arts organisations and festivals such as Terrapin Puppet Theatre, Festival of Voices, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Blue Cow Theatre Inc. to deliver an exciting program of events, programs and performances.

Tempest will be unveiled to the public on the opening night of Dark Mofo 2016, Friday 10 June, with a ‘storm’ of activity and special events until 10:00 pm.

For a limited season during the festival, the Tempest exhibition program will present Tacita Dean’s new film work, Event for a Stage at the State Cinema, featuring BAFTA award winning actor Stephen Dillane in the leading role.

In addition, TMAG will be hosting a special public holiday opening during Dark Mofo on Monday 13 June and a series of curator talks will also be scheduled during the festival.

Visitors will also be able to learn more about the exhibition before it opens at a free lunchtime talk presented by TMAG’s Jane Stewart and Eliza Burke in the Royal Society Room on Thursday 21 April at 12:00 pm.

Tempest is presented by TMAG in association with Detached Cultural Organisation and Dark Mofo. The project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Tempest opens at TMAG on Friday 10 June 2016 with a late night opening from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. The exhibition continues Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm until Sunday 20 November. During Dark Mofo, there will be a special public holiday opening on Monday 13 June, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Admission is free. For more information, visit the exhibition website.

Image details: Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg (1740-1812), A shipwreck off a rocky coast (1760s), oil on canvas, 83 x 126.4 cm, Collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.