A river that flows both ways: Selected works from rīvus, the 23rd Biennale of Sydney

Inspired by rivers that flow both ways, ACE has partnered with the Biennale of Sydney to present a local response to the 23rd Biennale, titled rīvus (Latin for “stream”). Dedicated to nature and water-based ecologies, rīvus tackles many timely environmental themes including pollution, climate change, and the effect of colonisation on First Peoples’ custodianship of ecosystems.

This group presentation features work by Imhathai Suwatthanasilp (Thailand), Aluaiy Kaumakan (Paiwan Nation), Yuko Mohri (Japan) and Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi (Tonga).

For the Biennial of Sydney’s Artistic Director, José Roca, an important part of making an exhibition exploring water was to invite selected rivers to become ‘participants’ in it: ‘The rivers will be represented by ancestral custodians or contemporary custodians that will speak on their behalf,’ Roca says.

The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region are one of Australia’s most important wetland areas and ACE will collaborate with Ngarrindjeri leaders to include our rivers’ voice in this significant international project. The exhibition will also be accompanied by a symposium on water and its cultural significance to South Australian Indigenous communities.

Co-commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney and Adelaide Contemporary Experimental, Adelaide, Australia, with generous support from the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.