Don’t leave stones unturned is an exhibition of new work by artist David Attwood that considers the meanings and mechanisms of cultural compendium. At Moana, Atwood presents an ensemble of readymades that contrast the hardbound solemnity of the art historical anthology with the cheap gloss of the TV tabloid.
Through a comparison, Attwood simultaneously elevates the contents of the tabloid to high art, and demotes the subject matter of art history to the supposedly inferior domain of reality television, soap opera and sitcom. Enigmatically, he leaves all avenues open – Don’t leave stones unturned invites a contemplation of the distinctions we make between high art and popular culture.
Don’t leave stones unturned plays off art historical knowledge, and draws on deep affection for the everyday and its artefacts. With characteristic humour, Attwood demonstrates an incisive understanding of aesthetic culture, and an eye for the contrasts between appearances and meanings.
David Attwood is a Perth-based artist working with iconography and appropriation. He has exhibited locally and internationally, at SafARI, Sydney; Adult Contemporary, Perth; Firstdraft, Sydney; and the Fremantle Arts Centre. In 2020 Attwood was conferred a PhD (Art) by Curtin University.
This project has been funded by the Western Australian Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts.