Hold the world to its word

The giving of one’s word is an act of promise – an assurance of hope. When fulfilled, the trust held between parties is maintained and perhaps strengthened. But what of a failed promise? How do we contend with optimism denied?

Hold the world to its word recognises the notion of an inherently good and just world is a fragile one. That faith in promises held personally and collectively is easily eroded. The exhibition positions a group of artists within this environment of equivocal hope. The artists span geographies and generations, creating works that assert artistic agency and refute powerlessness while mapping delicate threads of connection between individuals. Key works address both cultural and personal pain and identify avenues of solace.

The exhibition features painting, photographic, text and sculptural projects by Hoda Afshar, Matthew Harris, Spence Messih, Stephen Ralph, Sandra Selig, and what, alongside the collective et al., and works by Michael Riley and Susan Hiller. Their offerings refuse the inwardness that can take root in times of doubt, instead suggesting that art can be an agent for good that questions, holds to account, and finds beauty and purpose in the world when optimism is lacking.