Hand of God

BACKGROUND Hand of God 2016 was presented as part of the 2016 Summer Show at Counihan Gallery in Brunswick. The Moreland Summer Show is an annual exhibition showcasing the diverse and creative talent of visual artists with strong connections to the City of Moreland. Using the premise of FACTIVISM, the exhibition focused on how, "News, information and opinion are never far out of reach. We are saturated with headlines, images, slogans, sound bites and signs but often lack facts. Facts are powerful, yet they can be cherry-picked and spun. How are facts verified? How do we form our view? What banner should we flock to? What is the right cause? How do we put the truth to work?". CONTRIBUTION The Hand of God 2016 appropriates an image from a local newspaper to addresses the position some protesters take when the dominant power structure continuously neglects to include or consider their concerns. Specifically focusing on gay politics through the use of pink The Hand of God speaks the history of protest within the GLBTIQ community and the current crisis of gays fleeing persecution from the middle-east. This is a new work, not previously exhibited. SIGNIFICANCE The Moreland Summer Show is a selective-intake exhibition aimed at exploring a particular theme each year. Selections for this exhibition will be made by a panel comprising of the gallery staff at the Counihan Gallery In Brunswick, along with a panel member from the Moreland Arts Board. All artists selected are key Melbourne practitioners based in the City of Moreland. Counihan Gallery in Brunswick is one of the leading council run art spaces in Australia that is recognised as a gallery of substance both locally and nationally hosting high profile exhibitions, artist talks, workshops and community events.