Art Incubator’s 2020 grant recipients

The 2020 Art Incubator grant recipients, Victoria Hempstead and Nadia Odlum, are set to reveal the bodies of work they have created through the support of the program this October.

Art Incubator is an initiative established by collectors and philanthropists Teresa and Andre Biet, which provides a financial grant and mentorships to two or three emerging artists annually. The
program concludes with an exhibition organised by the initiative at a major commercial gallery.

In what has proved to be a particularly hard year for the art world, Odlum speaks highly of its effect on her practice: “The Art Incubator grant has been a real game changer. Particularly in this difficult year it has given focus, drive and support to my practice. It has enabled me to create my most refined and ambitious body of work to date.”

Odlum’s body of work, Temporary Frictions, has responded to the impact of COVID-19, utilising the aesthetics of hazard signage and street barriers to examine how the pandemic has changed the way in which we interact with public spaces.

Hempstead looks back a little further to this year’s particularly destructive bushfire season. KINDLING combines the artist’s metal practice with the burnt detritus left by the New South Wales bushfires in large scale works, highlighting crucial environmental issues.

Hempstead has said of the Art Incubator initiative that it “fosters an environment to grow and cultivate one’s practice, without infringement or parameters. As an emerging artist, this type of support has been vital and it speaks to the strength of this program.”

Due to COVID-19, the initial exhibition dates had to be rescheduled. However, this change proved serendipitous, as it has allowed the two artists to collaborate on a public art walk between their solo exhibitions titled Ether. The work guides their audience on the scenic route between the two galleries, and the public are invited to interact with the through their Instagram profile @the_ether_project .

Hempstead’s KINDLING will be on show at Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert from 1 – 25 October, and Odlum’s Temporary Frictions at STATION Sydney will be open from 10 October to 7 November.

Image: Nadia Odlum with her works.