The Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt: Foundations, Pivots and Place
5 June to 29 August 2026 | Free
RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Hours: Tue–Fri 11am–5pm, Sat 12pm–4pm (closed public holidays).
RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Hours: Tue–Fri 11am–5pm, Sat 12pm–4pm (closed public holidays).
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'The Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt: Foundations, Pivots and Place' positions Australia at the centre of an ambitious global dialogue on conceptual art, influence and the circulation of ideas. Instigated and directed by Dr Irene Barberis, the project demonstrates how Australian scholarship and curatorial innovation can actively shape international discourse surrounding one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.
In the 1960s, American artist Sol LeWitt revolutionised the definition of contemporary art by presenting the simple but radical idea that a work of art’s concept is more important than its form. LeWitt challenged our ways of seeing and thinking about art. Seen by many as a pivotal figure in twentieth-century American art, LeWitt’s ideas and practices continue to impact a wide range of artists from around the world. A LeWitt Wall Drawing will be the centre of this exhibition. Presented alongside the Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing, this exhibition will showcase the work of an established nucleus of international artists who worked closely with LeWitt during his career: Irene Barberis (AUS), John Hogan (USA), Fransje Killaars (NLD), Janet Passehl (USA), Wilma Tabacco (AUS); with a group of invited contemporary Australian artists: Jonas Balsaitis, Emma Coulter, Sarah Duyshart, Robert Hunter, Robin Kingston, Simon Klose, Sara Lindsay, Jordan Mitchell-Fletcher, Kerrie Poliness, Antonia Sellbach, Jacqueline Stojanović, David Thomas and Anne Scott Wilson. |
'The Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt: Foundations, Pivots and Place' emerges from the long-term friendship and mentorship between Barberis (RMIT School of Art) and LeWitt. Barberis met LeWitt in New York in 1974 and remained close friends with him and his family until his death in 2007. Through the generosity of the LeWitt family, she was granted residencies in his American and Italian studios. She became the first artist, outside the family, to work in his Chester studio twelve years after his passing, developing new work while systematically documenting the material and conceptual traces of his practice. In 2022, she published the only comprehensive documentary record of LeWitt’s Chester studio.
The research undertaken during Barberis’s residencies forms the conceptual and archival foundation of the project. This exhibition inaugurates the ‘Part 2’ phase of the project, extending the five completed ‘core artists’ exhibitions into a second international cycle bringing together artists, curators and institutions. Project curator, Barberis works in close collaboration with the core artists who are foundational to its evolving structure. The LeWitt Family have generously granted a unique LeWitt Wall Drawing for each of these latter exhibitions. Through exhibitions, publications and sustained archival development, this project establishes robust frameworks for cross-cultural collaboration and knowledge exchange. Each iteration draws together LeWitt’s legacy within distinct regional contexts, extending the understanding of his influence within new cultural and conceptual narratives. |
Curated by Irene Barberis with Helen Rayment.
The Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing is generously loaned by the LeWitt Family and Estate.
This exhibition is presented by RMIT University at RMIT Gallery.
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RMIT Gallery, Melbourne. Australia
30 May to 27 July 2024
CONCENTRIC INFLUENCES OF SOL LEWITT PART 1
Exhibition Catalogue Forward
The studio of an artist is incredibly special – even evocative – the racks of work, the plan press draws, the smells of production. The studio of a great artist might become a museum, but it is less usual for it to continue as a place of art making and research. This exhibition is an important step in acknowledging the studio space as a legacy that can enable research and the insights of academics, as well fostering the new work of contemporary artists.
RMIT Culture is delighted to present The Concentric Influences of Sol Lewitt, Part 1: Irene Barberis, Fransje Killaars, Janet Passehl, Wilma Tabacco at RMIT Gallery. It’s not often an opportunity such as this presents itself, and RMIT Culture is pleased to be able to take an active part in this multi-country research project. Academic, artist and curator Dr Irene Barberis’ important and formative project into the practice of Sol LeWitt shares important cultural stories that may not otherwise be available to us and highlights her ongoing research outcomes into the world of Sol LeWitt through the lens of his studio.
RMIT Culture would like to thank most warmly, Dr Irene Barberis – curator, academic, researcher and artist – for working with us to share her project at RMIT Gallery, the first Australian iteration of this extensive 10 country exhibition.
We would also like to thank the contributing core artists who are central to this research project, Fransje Killaars, Janet Passehl
and Wilma Tabacco. As ever the RMIT Culture team have worked assiduously to develop this project, both the exhibition and catalogue – notably Exhibition Coordinator Julia Powles, Engagement Coordinator Lisa Linton, Senior Production Coordinator Erik North with Simon Maisch and filmmaker Pat Mooney alongside the unwavering and patient support of Exhibition Assistants Michaela Bear, Jemima Penny and Celine Saoud. Finally, we thank Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice Chancellor International and Engagement, and Amy Harrington, Director, Philanthropy & Public Engagement, whose ongoing support of our programming is deeply appreciated.
Helen Rayment
RMIT Gallery Manager, Melbourne/Narm Australia
The studio of an artist is incredibly special – even evocative – the racks of work, the plan press draws, the smells of production. The studio of a great artist might become a museum, but it is less usual for it to continue as a place of art making and research. This exhibition is an important step in acknowledging the studio space as a legacy that can enable research and the insights of academics, as well fostering the new work of contemporary artists.
RMIT Culture is delighted to present The Concentric Influences of Sol Lewitt, Part 1: Irene Barberis, Fransje Killaars, Janet Passehl, Wilma Tabacco at RMIT Gallery. It’s not often an opportunity such as this presents itself, and RMIT Culture is pleased to be able to take an active part in this multi-country research project. Academic, artist and curator Dr Irene Barberis’ important and formative project into the practice of Sol LeWitt shares important cultural stories that may not otherwise be available to us and highlights her ongoing research outcomes into the world of Sol LeWitt through the lens of his studio.
RMIT Culture would like to thank most warmly, Dr Irene Barberis – curator, academic, researcher and artist – for working with us to share her project at RMIT Gallery, the first Australian iteration of this extensive 10 country exhibition.
We would also like to thank the contributing core artists who are central to this research project, Fransje Killaars, Janet Passehl
and Wilma Tabacco. As ever the RMIT Culture team have worked assiduously to develop this project, both the exhibition and catalogue – notably Exhibition Coordinator Julia Powles, Engagement Coordinator Lisa Linton, Senior Production Coordinator Erik North with Simon Maisch and filmmaker Pat Mooney alongside the unwavering and patient support of Exhibition Assistants Michaela Bear, Jemima Penny and Celine Saoud. Finally, we thank Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice Chancellor International and Engagement, and Amy Harrington, Director, Philanthropy & Public Engagement, whose ongoing support of our programming is deeply appreciated.
Helen Rayment
RMIT Gallery Manager, Melbourne/Narm Australia
Exhibition Forward by: Helen Rayment, Introduction: Kit Wise
Artists: Jant Passehl, Fransje Killaars, Irene Barberis and Wilma Tabacco.
Artists: Jant Passehl, Fransje Killaars, Irene Barberis and Wilma Tabacco.