Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light
Gallery 1853 - Oldham - 2025
‘Sigil VII - Shed (Python/Adder/Entity III)’ from ‘Undoing Dee’s Work Series’ - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm unframed - 2024
‘Engage’ from ‘Flag Series’ - calico, cotton thread, giclée print on calico, reconstituted nylon flag - H:35cm x W:22cm unframed - 2024
Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light
Opening Reception:
6-9pm, 11th of April
Opening Hours:
11-5pm, Thurs-Sat
12th of April - 10th of May, 2025 - Gallery 1853 - Oldham
Public Programme:
➣ In conversation with Luca Shaw (Exhibitions Curator, Gallery 1853) - 19th of April (Time TBC)
➣ Gallery Website
Opening Reception:
6-9pm, 11th of April
Opening Hours:
11-5pm, Thurs-Sat
12th of April - 10th of May, 2025 - Gallery 1853 - Oldham
Public Programme:
➣ In conversation with Luca Shaw (Exhibitions Curator, Gallery 1853) - 19th of April (Time TBC)
➣ Gallery Website
‘Sigil IV - Entanglements (Torresian/Carrion/Entity II)’ - Giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm unframed - 2024
‘Entity (halo) I’ - Calico, giclée print on calico, cotton thread, gold leaf - H:52cm x W:36cm unframed - 2024
➣ List of Works
This predominantly new body of work by Benjamin Sebastian confronts their ancestral implication in violent structures of settler-colonialism, while holding space for a spiritually expansive understanding of our relationship to the world around us and the forces that shape it through multiple forms of coloniality. This exhibition reveals a visual language of stitch, pattern, symbolism and hybridity, developed to unravel complex personal and political histories.
This predominantly new body of work by Benjamin Sebastian confronts their ancestral implication in violent structures of settler-colonialism, while holding space for a spiritually expansive understanding of our relationship to the world around us and the forces that shape it through multiple forms of coloniality. This exhibition reveals a visual language of stitch, pattern, symbolism and hybridity, developed to unravel complex personal and political histories.
‘3 Reflections²’ - excerpt of performance documentation - filmed by Marco Berardi & Baiba Sprance - Institute of Contemporary Art, London - 2022
Acknowledgements
Benjamin Sebastian was raised on the stolen/unceeded lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Djabugay and Yirrganydji peoples and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging - while extending that respect to all Indigenous Australians.
Benjamin Sebastian was raised on the stolen/unceeded lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Djabugay and Yirrganydji peoples and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging - while extending that respect to all Indigenous Australians.
‘Phoenix I (Diptych)’ - performance documentation - photographed by Marco Berardi - giclée print mounted on MDF - A0 - 2013
‘Phoenix II (Diptych)’ - performance documentation - photographed by Marco Berardi - giclée print mounted on MDF - A0 - 2013
Benjamin would like to sincerely thank Ash McNaughton, Mine Kaplangı, Matteo Cortés, Bean, Jane Scarth, Marco Berardi, Baiba Sprance, Anna Marsland, Justin Hunt, Molly Clark, Robyn Ellen, John Chandler, Ant The Elder and the creative teams at Tanks Arts Centre, Gallery 1853, VSSL Studio, Hebert Read Gallery, Cooke’s Framing, FUTURERITUAL and CT20.
This exhibition is made possible with National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England.
This exhibition is made possible with National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England.
‘Phoenix’ - excerpt of performance documentation - filmed by Marco Berardi & Baiba Sprance - CT20, Folkestone - 2024
