The City of Hobart today launched its public art program in support of Hobart Current: Epoch with an exhibition of over 200 creative postcards submitted by the community.
Hobartians were asked to share their response to the question ‘Epoch – What do you hope to see in the future?’ in the form of a postcard.
Everyday artists drew, painted, sculpted, wrote, scribed, collaged or photographed onto the front of the postcard and gave a brief explanation of their rationale on the back.
Acting Lord Mayor Helen Burnet said the Hobart Current public program gave a platform to aspiring artists from the Hobart community to share their perspectives alongside some of the best leading and emerging contemporary artists from around Tasmania, Australia, and the world.
“The majority of the postcards were submitted by children and young people,” Cr Burnet said.
“There were some consistent themes including hopes for taking better care of each other and our planet, connecting with nature and of course many children wanted space robots to do all their chores.”
Hobart Creative City Portfolio Chair Cr John Kelly said the public program features submissions from Hobartians at all ages and stages of their artistic journey.
“The postcard exhibition is just one of a number of public art installations popping up around the CBD as part of Hobart Current and includes, digital works, night-time projection, outdoor galleries in Wellington Court and Victoria Street, as well as the postcard exhibition,” Cr Kelly said.
“I’m sure the community will enjoy stumbling across these pockets of art across the CBD, or they can check out the program and follow the art trail map.”
Mount Carmel College students created a sculpture installation as part of the program. Art Teacher Jenna Magnus explained students took the theme of ‘Epoch’ in many different directions.
“They have explored their concerns for the environment, pollution, climate change and food distribution systems,” Ms Magnus said.
“Some took a personal approach and examined their own journey as an artist, while others projected themselves far into an apocalyptic realm where the world as we know it has ended.
“They have worked incredibly hard to produce these thought provoking sculptures, and we hope you enjoy viewing them as much as they did making them.”
Epoch Postcard Exhibition
When: 10 am – 4pm, Wednesday 6 – Saturday 9 December 2023
Where: Waterside Pavilion, Mawson Place, Hobart
Other Epoch public program installations on display until February 2024:
- Young Epoch Postcards – Selection of postcards from children aged 5 to 12 years (Wellington Court)
- Epoch: Postcard Soapbox Billboards – A selection of postcards displayed on billboards (Mathers Place)
- Epoch: Loop – Screening daily from 12:00 pm until late on Hobart’s digital art platform The Loop (157 Elizabeth Street)
- Epoch: Art on Victoria – A series of works by young local artists on the theme of ‘epoch.’ Victoria Street (around the corner from Collins Street)
- Epoch: Window – Digital content by young local creatives projected from the Youth Art and Recreation Centre (Youth ARC) window onto Campbell Street after dark.
Visit hobartcurrent.com/get-involved
Pictured: Mt Carmel College’s Katie Sluis with her contribution to Hobart Epoch Postcard Exhibition.
