For centuries, artists have been using their medium to challenge or criticise serious issues. Alternately, artists have broken historical artistic canons to reveal that art objects or visual images can be playful or comedic. Shaping Wit explores the work of artists who use humour and irony to talk about serious or light-hearted things. Satirical and cynical art can provide a subtle means for compelling its audience to challenge preconceived ideas and social and political conventions.

Shaping Wit is a Willoughby City Council curated group exhibition, presented in partnership with the Sydney Comedy Festival.

Artists: Will Coles, Chris Dolman, Blak Douglas, Emily Galicek, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, Gillian Kayrooz, Tara Marynowsky and Kenny Pittock

Opening: 6pm – 8pm Thursday 22 April. RSVP essential [email protected]

Image: Chris Dolman, All Dried Up (detail), 2020, oil and pencil on cotton. Courtesy the artist and Galerie pompom, Sydney

VENUE

Art Space on The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (next to Box Office)

DATES

21 April – 16 May 2021

Times

6pm - 8pm Tuesday 20 April for Sydney Comedy Festival Gala

11am - 5pm Wednesday 21 April

11am - 8pm Thursday 22 April (including evening launch)

11am - 8.30pm Friday 23 April

11am - 8.30pm Saturday 24 April

11am - 6pm Sunday 25 April

11am - 5pm Wednesday 28 April

11am - 5pm Thursday 29 April

11am - 8.30pm Friday 30 April

11am - 8.30pm Saturday 1 May

11am - 6pm Sunday 2 May

11am - 5pm Wednesday 5 May

11am - 5pm Thursday 6 May

11am - 8.30pm Friday 7 May

11am - 8.30pm Saturday 8 May

11am - 6pm Sunday 9 May

11am - 5pm Wednesday 12 May

11am - 5pm Thursday 13 May

11am - 8.30pm Friday 14 May

11am - 8.30pm Saturday 15 May

11am - 6pm Sunday 16 May