16 May 2002

The Sight Of Sound

Visiting American artist and professor Joseph Grigely, will present a public lecture on the visual representation of auditory phenomena at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery on Monday, 20th May.

Informed by the experience of being profoundly deaf, Grigely's art is about conversations - the paths they take, the forms they have and the stories they tell in the process of being retold.

As his raw materials, Grigely uses the written conversations that take place in his daily life; the scraps of paper on which hearing people have written notes, names or phrases in order to 'converse' with him when he cannot read their lips. Utilising these residues, he builds text based wall pieces, installations and table-top tableaux that all take as their subject the unique characteristics and complexities of communication - whether spoken, written, read or heard.

Grigely has been represented in innumerable solo and group exhibitions internationally, including shows at the Whitney, Venice, Berlin and Sydney Biennials. Grigely is Professor of Visual and Critical Studies at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Generously Supported By: EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

For further information: images or to arrange an interview please contact Catrina McDiarmid, Robert McDougall Art Gallery on 03 941-7991 or catrina.mcdiarmid@ccc.govt.nz

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