Mikala Dwyer: Chromakinda

Chromakinda was the inaugural commission for the Museum’s new Kids Gallery. Artist Mikala Dwyer had created a space where children learned through play and performance. The fully immersive installation invited children and their carers to activate their imaginations. There were costumes for adults and kids, stage curtains that allowed for performances to open onto the street, custom lighting in the form of suspended orb-like sculptures, and chalkboard portals for drawing embedded in the psychedelic wall painting that enclosed the space.

Extended from Chromakinda was a curated selection of Wonder Cupboard installations by five artists selected by Mikala Dwyer. The Wonder Cupboard journey began in the Kids Gallery then took visitors upstairs as they sought the other four hidden cupboards. Inside were the work of Sarah Goffman, Stevie Fieldsend, Kate O’Boyle, Adriane Boag, and Hossein Ghaemi.

This lively new space encouraged kids to stay and play in the Museum, and had formed part of our permanent program. A new artist will take over the space every year, creating new opportunities to play and learn through artist-led installations.

The Kids Gallery redevelopment has been made possible due to funding from the Australian Government’s RISE program, and Destination NSW.

Thank you to Kate O’Boyle who collaborated with Mikala Dwyer on costume design and production.

Supported by Metal Manufacturers.

About the Artist

Mikala Dwyer is an Australian artist celebrated for her expansive work in the fields of painting, sculpture, and performance. Dwyer creates immersive spaces alive with material possibility and that encourage open interaction.

Dwyer has exhibited internationally since 1982 and has been celebrated with solo presentations at the Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane and Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne.