Shedding a light on the Archibalds

29 May 2023

Installation view of the 'Archie 100' exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, featuring works by (left-right) Paul Newton, Louise Hearman, John Brack and Joshua Smith. Photo © Mark Sherwood, MAGNT’ — Installation view of the 'Archie 100' exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, featuring works by (from left) Paul Newton, Louise Hearman, John Brack and Joshua Smith. Photo © Mark Sherwood, MAGNT

Tracks Dance Company in Darwin is taking part in a novel collaboration that centres around the Archibald Prize for Portraiture.

The Museum and Art Gallery NT is holding an exhibition called "Archie 100", that celebrates the 100 year history of this prestigious award, held annually at the Art Gallery of NSW. The exhibition includes portraits by a wide range of artists from the collections of the AGNSW as well as other major art galleries.

Tracks is presenting a choreographic response. Eight Northern Territory choreographers have been chosen to create a short work each. The choreographers are Tracks's artistic director David McMicken and associate artistic director Jessica Devereux, Venaska Cheliah, Steph Spillett, Rachael Wallis, Kelly Beneforti, Kate Mornane and Gary Lang (the artistic director of the NT Dance Company).

The choreography will draw on the overarching conceptual themes of the Archies. The works will be created and performed in situ in the museum, enabling visitors to experience art being made in front of them.

The program is called New Light, as it invites audiences to see the gallery and the art of portraiture in a new light.

The choreographic residency began on May 25 and continues until June 25.

For more info, go here.