Collective Unease was a bold exhibition of three new commissions inspired by the University of Melbourne’s students, archives and collections. The three works by artists Andy Butler, Lisa Hilli and James Nguyen  move beyond colonial narratives to a complex, multi-voiced understanding of Australia inflected by experiences of migration and diaspora. In the face of difficult histories and an uncertain future, these works emphasise themes of self-representation, empowerment and optimism.

Co-curated by Samantha Comte and Jacqueline Doughty

‘The title Collective Unease signals a tension between contemporary Australian society and the remnants of a colonial vision still embodied in the architecture of the Old Quad building with its references to the cultural and academic traditions of Europe. The artists speak back to this setting through artworks that are both defiant and celebratory, offering up alternative narratives that reflect more accurately who we are today and hope to be in the future.’

Jacqueline Doughty, Head Curator