J. Parker Valentine “Backwards with Eye Contact” at SydneySydney, Sydney

Backwards with Eye Contact, a title sourced from a poem written by J. Parker Valentine 20 years prior, marks her exhibition in Australia, comprising works on canvas, fabric, paper, as well as archival materials. Enclosing the window and extending along the left-hand wall are several large sheets of hanging canvas—a backdrop -upon which two smaller marked-up, ripped-up, and folded pieces of material are sewn. First exhibited at Max Mayer in 2018, the large works have been adapted to fit the new architectural dimensions, draping to the floor and creating a cocooned environment with graphic and dimensional interventions.

Turning to the right, a selection of drawings are pinned to the front of the bookshelf. Additionally, a single piece of vibrant fabric, a repeating pattern by Valentine reminiscent of wallpaper, is positioned behind her bulletin board, offering rare access to a selection of archival materials from the studio, resulting in a metamorphic survey of Valentine’s practice.

at SydneySydney, Sydney
until April 26, 2025