Mysticism in contemporary art is the subject of a new exhibition opening in June at Auckland Art Gallery. Mystic Truths features the work of 17 international artists, who draw upon mystic realities through re-performing historic spiritualism, activating contemporary superstition, recreating mystic tools and iconography and documenting belief in other worlds and speculative realities.

Image: Olivia Plender, The Medium & Daybreak (2005)Mysticism in contemporary art is the subject of a new exhibition opening in June at Auckland Art Gallery. Mystic Truths features the work of 17 international artists, who draw upon mystic realities through re-performing historic spiritualism, activating contemporary superstition, recreating mystic tools and iconography and documenting belief in other worlds and speculative realities.

Image: Olivia Plender, The Medium & Daybreak (2005)The title Mystic Truths extracts the oxymoron embedded in Bruce Nauman's 1967 neon sign "the true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths".

Nauman's words declare a role for the artist that sits uneasily within contemporary art and life in the West - that mysticism is not only alive and real, but also necessary.

Curator Natasha Conland calls upon the catch-phrase 'mind over matter' to suggest the artists' interest in the powers of the mind as a change-agent in the physical realm of art and exhibition.

She uses the metaphor of 'the curse' as an alternative lens from which to view the relationship between concept and form. Freed from cynical or superstitious association, a curse is merely an idea. Add belief to this idea, and it has the power to affect change.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue and programme including talks, films and events including an opening weekend performance by UK artist Olivia Plender.

When: 30 June to 14 October 2007
Where: New Gallery, Cnr Wellesley & Lorne Sts, Auckland
Tickets: Adults $7, Concession $5