The nature of representation, misrepresentation and perception are explored and challenged by media artist Jayce Salloum in a compelling and thought-provoking exhibition at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Lebanese Canadian Salloum is the Govett-Brewster's current International Artist in Residence and his exhibition everything and nothing and other works from the ongoing project 'untitled' 1999-2008, will be at the Gallery until 25 May.The nature of representation, misrepresentation and perception are explored and challenged by media artist Jayce Salloum in a compelling and thought-provoking exhibition at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Lebanese Canadian Salloum is the Govett-Brewster's current International Artist in Residence and his exhibition everything and nothing and other works from the ongoing project 'untitled' 1999-2008, will be at the Gallery until 25 May.Untitled is an ongoing multi-channel video installation of individual projects started in 1999. They address the social and political realities of individuals and communities affected by borders, nationalism, religion, and global political and economic shifts. Through their personal oral histories, Salloum documents the lives and opinions of displaced peoples and activists in places such as Lebanon and the former Yugoslavia.

During his residency at the Govett-Brewster Salloum will develop new video work which chronicles the stories of Maori and their relationship to the land in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will become part 6 to 'untitled' following the insightful accounts of the Indigenous First Nations people in Western Canada documented in part 5.

Exhibition curator Mercedes Vicente says: "The elegiac tone and rawness of Salloum's film essays are remarkably compelling. His works give voice to those who have fallen in the path of profound political conflicts, sometimes helplessly, sometimes wilfully".

Govett-Brewster Director Rhana Devenport says: "The Gallery is honoured to be working with an artist from the Pacific Rim whose work with First Nations communities in Canada, among other, has such strong resonance to the social and political realities of Aotearoa New Zealand.

"His work engages directly with community issues in a personal and immediate way."

Conceived as an active living archive, Salloum sees the production and viewing of his work as an approach to research and reading. His multi-channel video installation is presented within two darkened environments which encourage intimate viewing and reflection from audiences.

Jayce Salloum says: "I am interested to challenging the audiences' perceptions and understanding of history and contemporary lives. The dominant media and governing powers have constructed our images of "events" throughout history, I attempt to
create a fissure in these representations, providing a space for other
voices to emerge and to speak along side them."

Salloum has worked in installation, photography, new media and video since 1975. He has exhibited in a wide range of international venues from small storefronts to institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Centre Pompidou, Paris and the 15th Biennale of Sydney.

The Govett-Brewster's Artist in Residence programme is offered in partnership with the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki and is supported by Creative New Zealand.

Also showing:
Francis Upritchard: New Zealand Artist in Residence
Rainwob I
1 March - 18 May 2008
Bill Culbert
Groundworks
8 March - 18 May 2008
Len Lye
A portrait gallery
8 March - 18 May 2008

Jayce Salloum
everything and nothing and other works from the ongoing project 'untitled' 1999-2008
8 March - 25 May 2008
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

11/04/08