Listen to an in-conversation talk between Lebanese-Australian artist Shireen Taweel and 4A Assistant Curator Reina Takeuchi in Taweel's Darlinghurst home studio, presented as part of the 4A TALKS series.

In this episode, Taweel discusses her artistic practice and coppersmith techniques, as well as the cross-cultural histories and social relationships that inform her work, which incorporates sculpture, installation and sound.

Takeuchi and Taweel also reflect on the the stories and concepts behind Taweel's work, tracing transcendence, on view at 4A in the exhibition Holding Patterns: Shireen Taweel (3-25 September).

The recorded interview took place on 5 September 2020 in Taweel's Darlinghurst studio on William Street, where city life and traffic bustle can be heard intermittently in the background.

Watch the video: http://www.4a.com.au/4a-talks-shireen-taweel/

Access the transcript: http://www.4a.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4A-TALKS_Transcript_Shireen-Taweel-Reina-Takeuchi.pdf

Image: Shireen Taweel at Parramatta Artists Studio, 2018, courtesy Parramatta Artists Studios; photo: Jacquie Manning

4A TALKS // Shireen Taweel

Listen to Indonesian-Australian artist Sofiyah Ruqayah in conversation with 4A Assistant Curator Reina Takeuchi, presented as part of her first solo exhibition at 4A, ‘Holding Patterns: Sofiyah Ruqayah, 3-29 October 2020.

Recorded at Ruqayah’s studio at Parramatta Artists’ Studios, the interview explores how inspiration, rest and balance have guided the artist through these unprecedented times. Ruqayah also reflects on her experience of isolation and personal research into animal and marine life, and how these learnings have informed her 4A show.

Access a transcript of Ruqayah and Takeuchi’s conversation: http://www.4a.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4A-TALKS_Transcript_Sofiyah-Ruqayah-Reina-Takeuchi.pdf

Watch a video excerpt of the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB55K2Aul9M&feature=youtu.be

Learn more about 4A's Holding Patterns exhibition series: http://www.4a.com.au/holding-patterns

4A TALKS // Sofiyah Ruqayah

Program Moderator: Dr Mikala Tai Program
Speakers: Damian McDonald, Nusra Latif Qureshi, Professor Mary Roberts

4A’s series Please Explain invites presenters to rethink, recharge and reimagine contemporary issues through the arts and academia. In this edition of Please Explain, as part of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art exhibition Nusra Latif Qureshi: Strategies of Intent, speakers discuss the mobility of meaning and challenges presented by historical objects and imagery in a post-Orientalist world. Taking the work of artist Nusra Latif Qureshi and the text Networked Objects (2013) by Mary Roberts as a starting point, this discussion will ask whether Colonial objects still hold potency today in institutions and artistic practice; and investigate how artists and curators can work to challenge and engage with constructed histories of objects in shifting contexts.

Please Explain: Do Colonial Objects Still Hold Power

This Is How We Do It: Museums and Galleries in Asia brings together leading professionals from museums and galleries across wider Asia to share experiences and discuss what’s next for our region’s cultural and creative spaces. With international experts including Philip Tinari (China), director of Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing; Joselina Cruz (Philippines), director of the Museum of Contemporary Art & Design (MCAD), Manila; and Reem Fadda, independent curator (Palestine); alongside local speakers representing community, state and national institutions and organisations, this symposium seeks to generate debate and discussion around the central question of how Australia’s arts ecology can learn from and embrace new models and practices from our Asian neighbours.

This Is How We Do It: Museums and Galleries in Asia

Welcome and Opening Presentation

As part of the Bollywouldn't public programs, DJs and community-builders from the queer South Asian diaspora created mixes exploring sonic worlds in response to the exhibition and their own lineages and experiences. Drawn together around the theme of "reciprocity," these mixes were created as a means of cultural exchange between each other, the Bollywouldnt exhibition and the broader politics of what it is to be queer and of the South Asian Diaspora. 

@KIEFFAIIRY / Naz is a multimedia artist currently residing on occupied Wurundjeri Land. Her music career launched in mid 2021 with production and further expanded with DJing. The genres Naz works with are Dubstep, Dub, Jungle, DnB, Hardstyle, Bollywood, Hip hop, Drill and Grime. Her fixation with sound and art are inherently from her roots and upbringing, where she grew up playing live instruments and was commercially trained in music theory. Naz aims to design her own dubstep renaissance and express her authentic self through the process. Kieffaiiry describes her sound as, ‘“wubby”, percussive and BASED!’.

To learn more and to visit TextaQueen's Exhibition see: https://4a.com.au/exhibitions/textaqueen-bollywouldnt

Bollywouldn't Radio: Kiefeiiry

As part of the Bollywouldn't public programs, DJs and community-builders from the queer South Asian diaspora created mixes exploring sonic worlds in response to the exhibition and their own lineages and experiences. Drawn together around the theme of "reciprocity," these mixes were created as a means of cultural exchange between each other, the Bollywouldnt exhibition and the broader politics of what it is to be queer and of the South Asian Diaspora.

@KINERGY / Kin Francis is an independent artist exploring queer futurity and disobedience through the various lenses of their work as a creative producer, writer, events organiser and DJ. Kin is setting up their own business as an artist and events manager to champion First Nations, Black and POC queer artists and community members. Over the past decade as an arts worker they have been involved with 30 or so organisations such as Arts Centre Melbourne, Transgender Victoria, Next Wave and Multicultural Arts Victoria. Kin is currently writing their debut poetry collection that centres on trans hedonism, body autonomy, love, relationship dynamics and pleasure.

To learn more and to visit TextaQueen's Exhibition see: https://4a.com.au/exhibitions/textaqueen-bollywouldnt

Bollywouldn't Radio: KINERGY

As part of the Bollywouldn't public programs, DJs and community-builders from the queer South Asian diaspora created mixes exploring sonic worlds in response to the exhibition and their own lineages and experiences. Drawn together around the theme of "reciprocity," these mixes were created as a means of cultural exchange between each other, the Bollywouldnt exhibition and the broader politics of what it is to be queer and of the South Asian Diaspora.

@Merph / Merph is the moniker of Sarita Herse, an Eora-based DJ, producer, radio host, and scientist with a PhD in Social Robotics, specialising in Human-Agent Interaction. While holding a strong affiliation with all things experimental, bass, and percussion related, the diverseness of Merph's day-to-day life and cultural background is reflected in the space she holds for music.

To learn more and to visit TextaQueen's Exhibition see: https://4a.com.au/exhibitions/textaqueen-bollywouldnt

Bollywouldn't Radio: Merph

As part of the Bollywouldn't public programs, DJs and community-builders from the queer South Asian diaspora created mixes exploring sonic worlds in response to the exhibition and their own lineages and experiences. Drawn together around the theme of "reciprocity," these mixes were created as a means of cultural exchange between each other, the Bollywouldnt exhibition and the broader politics of what it is to be queer and of the South Asian Diaspora.

Rashna is a DJ, producer and writer creating work centred around community and culture. She was a 2021 MESS Recovery Resident, and is a 2022 Our Watch Walkley Foundation Fellow.

To learn more and to visit TextaQueen's Exhibition see: https://4a.com.au/exhibitions/textaqueen-bollywouldnt

Bollywouldn't Radio: Rashna

Artist and designer Evi O talks with Con Gerakaris (4A, Curatorial Program Manager) about her recent commissioned public artwork 'A Pair of Marbled Cone Snails Races to Chinatown for the Special Braised Eggplant.' They discuss design as art, food tourism, the ongoing gentrification of Sydney's Chinatown and public art.

Recorded Saturday 4 February 2023. 
Produced for 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.

4A TALKS // Evi O

Artist Rel Pham discusses his new commissioned exhibition 'Cache' with curator Con Gerakaris (4A, Curatorial Program Manager). Rel discusses the range of influences which informed his new work including PC operations, Big Data, memory, the I-Ching and more. 

Recorded Sunday 15 January 2023.
Produced by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.

4A TALKS // Rel Pham

For this episode of 4A Talks, we speak with Sophia Cai, the curator of our ongoing exhibition, A Soft Touch, which brings together ten contemporary Australian artists and explores empowerment and dissent through the art of textile.

"There's nothing wrong in being a soft person," she says as she shares why she chose the name, what defines 'a soft touch' and why she doesn't really stop thinking about her curations - even if the exhibition closes.

Tune in!

4A Talks

4A Talks with Sophia Cai

Commissioned by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Bidjara artist Dr Christian Thompson AO, creates a new body of work continuing an exploration into his Southern Chinese heritage. Presenting significant works from his career alongside a new commission, Thompson refines the practice initiated in New Gold Mountain (2019).

Gain a deeper understanding of his artistic process and the stories behind his captivating artworks, offering a unique glimpse into the world of contemporary art.

Produced by journalist and podcaster Silvi Vann-Wall.

4A Talks with Dr Christian Thompson AO

Recorded 25 January 2025 for 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.

Exhibiting artist Lia Tabrah discusses environmental sustainability and the creative possibilities of cane toad leather with Lisa Lake, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles, UTS. 

4A TALKS: Lia Tabrah in conversation with Lisa Lake is a public program for ANTIVENOM: VERMIN, part of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Arts' Lunar New Year 2025 artistic program.

4A TALKS: Lia Tabrah in conversation with Lisa Lake

Recorded 25 January 2025 for 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.

Exhibiting artist Emil Cañita discusses their new work 'Poz Cocksucking Tranny Exposed' with Con Gerakaris, Curatorial Program Manager, 4A.

4A TALKS: Emil Cañita is a public program for Antivenom: Year of the Snake, part of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Arts' Lunar New Year 2025 artistic program.

4A TALKS: Emil Cañita

Tian Zhang, an independent curator, writer, facilitator and collective worker facilitates ‘Nomadic Journeys: The Ulaanbaatar Biennale, art and exchange.’ 

In her role as Ulaanbaatar Biennale Chief Curator, Zhang will lead a discussion with Executive Director of Arts Council of Mongolia, Odgerel Odonchimed, Mongolian curator and artist Ariuntuya Jambaldorj, and Ulaanbaatar Biennale participating artist Jazz Money. 

They will offer insights into the emerging Mongolian arts community, the development of the Ulaanbaatar Biennale 'On the horizon, under the moon' (2025), and reflections on art and cultural exchange between Mongolia and so-called Australia.

This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

4A TALKS: Tian Zhang in conversation with Ariuntuya Jambaldorj, Odgerel Odonchimed and Jazz Money

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art leads cultural dialogues between Australia & Asia via contemporary art. Our 2021 programs are held offsite venues and online. http://www.4A.com.au

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art

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