Ken Unsworth Survey 1998.

Ken Unsworth is one of Australia's most senior sculptors.  He is remarkable in that his art is thoroughly contemporary and yet it is widely loved by the general public.  His installation Suspended Stone Circle 1985, was voted the most popular public work in Sydney in a poll held by the Herald's Metro section last year.

The exhibition will be displayed in the project gallery on level 4 and the contemporary galleries on level 2 as well as part of the entrance court on level 4.from 14/10/98 to 22/11/98.

The focus will be on three dimensional works including installations, animated relief works and sculpture.  The public have been clamouring for the reinstallation of Suspended Stone Circle from the Gallery collection since it came down some years ago.  Now it will go back on display and stay there for the foreseeable future.

Many of Ken's installations appeared once in Biennale's and Perspectas and then returned to the studio in boxes never to be seen again.  They remain in our memories as haunting dreams but now we can recreate them for posterity.  To date there is no documentation and no instruction manual for creating these historic works and this exhibition will fill this important role.  In future they will be possible to construct using the research and documentation undertaken for this project.

Among the memorable pieces to be resurrected are In Concert, and Adieu.  In Concert  is a particularly spectacular piece.  In a darkened room the viewer discovers a large compound enclosed by a circular steel paling fence.  Within the circle a grand piano stands with a gigantic circular saw lodged in the narrow end.  Under a blue light you can see a hat and cane and a chair with a wedge of spikes drawn up to the piano announcing the absent pianist.   Suddenly there is a raucous noise, a black steel parrot begins to flap its wings, the middle 'c' begins to play as if by poltergeist and the saw revs up to a crescendo of sound. 

The viewer may make up their own story because although there are art historical allusions and private memories involved in the form of the work the most important meanings are to be found in the memories and associations of the viewer.  Unsworth's works are not only historically significant they are also generous to the viewer providing a wealth of experience and texture.  This is undoubtedly why they are so much loved and respected.