The saying ‘once the dust settles’ is essentially optimistic. It assumes that present difficulties will be resolved and that a better future beckons. However, not all difficulties diminish, while some lie dormant only to reappear.

The Dust Never Settles exhibition centres on works by contemporary artists who probe at cultural, environmental and psychological histories that remain unresolved. Others reflect on traditions that reverberate or are threatened.

All works are drawn from The University of Queensland Art Collection and include recent acquisitions by artists such as Gordon Bennett, Susan Fereday, Dale Harding, Emma Lindsay, Angelica Mesiti, Caroline Rothwell, James Tylor, Judy Watson and Mumu Mike Williams.

Image Credit:
Angelica Mesiti
‘The Calling’ (video still) 2013–2014
Three-channel High Definition digital video, sound
Duration: 00:35:36, edition A/P 2
Collection of The University of Queensland, purchased 2016.
Reproduced courtesy of the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne.