Leigh Ledare at Artspace, Sydney

THE PUBLIC BODY .02 is the second in a three-part speculation on one idea. Over three years THE PUBLIC BODY .01, .02 and .03 will explore various facets of the notion of the public body with three distinct yet interrelated exhibitions.

THE PUBLIC BODY .01 began at the closest and most intimate point: this vessel that we all occupy with its myriad physical and sexual selves. THE PUBLIC BODY .01 explored contemporary representations of the body and, in particular, the naked and/or sexualised body. The start was the surface — of the body, and of image circulation in the twenty-first century.

Extending on the previous iteration's exploration of contemporary representations of the body, THE PUBLIC BODY .02 delves deeper to highlight a range of practices embedded in feminist, queer and anti-racist subjectivities, and concerned with revisioning certain biased histories of representation. 

The final exhibition in 2018 turns to Artspace’s own identity as a type of public body, drawing on our multifaceted history and extensive archive to mark our 35th anniversary.