an archival impulse

An archival impulse has been inspired by Hal Foster’s 2004 essay of the same title. Foster identifies the presence of a distinct archival impulse in contemporary art and argues that the way a number of artists have used historical material in recent years reflects a desire ‘to connect what cannot be connected’. Informed by the work of artists such as Richter, Kabakov, Moffatt and Boltanksi, An Archival Impulse features artists that use both public and private archival material to explore themes that include history, memory, truth, identity, hybridity and the everyday. While the selected artists use a diverse range of media and approaches, collectively their work reflects a deep sense of longing for connection with the archival material that forms the basis of their practice. An archival impulse will feature Tasmanian, national and international artists working with photography, video, printmaking and installation.