Seventh Gallery and the Women’s Art Register Artist in Residence program are pleased to present an exhibition of works by established artist Kate Just, entitled CONSTRUCTION/WORK. The exhibition is inspired by Just’s recent stint as an artist in residence with Seventh and W.A.R.

For the residency and project at W.A.R., Kate undertook many visits to the W.A.R. archives and examined examples of political text across books, files, magazines, and artworks. During her research, Kate came upon an advertisement for a curated performance exhibition at George Paton Gallery in 1980 called Women at Work, which inspired her exhibition. The advertisement featured a hand-drawn yellow and black sign with the bold text WOMEN AT WORK, riffing off ‘MEN AT WORK’ construction signs.

Kate expanded upon the idea of construction work as a parallel metaphor for feminism—something hands-on, focused on process, progress, and the active reshaping, reforming, and improving of social structures. Just’s installation at Seventh Gallery presents the results: a series of eight industrially produced construction and road safety signs inscribed with political messages. Texts across the signs include Rough Road Ahead, Danger: Freedom of Expression Under Threat, Protect Trans Lives, and Intersectional.

Large text-based hanging machine-knitted blankets bear the repeated words CONSTRUCTION and WORK WORK WORK, referencing the ongoing work required of feminism and political activism. Two hand-knitted panels bearing the words Women at Work and Women’s Work play on stereotypical conceptions of gendered labour. A green and white sweater bearing the text KEEP YOUR LAWS OFF MY BODY spins in the space. Produced by Just in 2022 in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the garment makes its debut in an exhibition space and flags the continuing human rights infringements by the US government.

Reflecting on the residency and exhibition works, Just states:

“These are stifling and inhumane times. The show springboards from a text in the archive, but hopes to highlight the ongoing active and constructive work artists and activists can do to reshape our social and political landscape.”

‍

Seventh Gallery turns 25 this year! We’re proud of the work that we have done and the community that we have built since 2000, as a non-profit gallery mostly run by artists, for artists.

As we reflect on our journey so far and look to the path ahead, we’re organising a celebration next Friday 20 June. We hope this gathering will be an opportunity not only to celebrate but also to reaffirm our shared commitment to artist-run culture. If you’re able to join us, we’d love to see you there

We’re also using this occasion to raise $25,000 to support our ongoing operations. Like many micro arts organisations, we navigate persistent financial precarity. While we recognise that we are not alone in facing these structural challenges, we continue to do a great deal with limited resources.

Our exhibitions, talks, workshops, screenings and professional development opportunities are almost all offered free of charge, and on top of this we work hard pay artists a decent fee - part of our broader commitment to accessibility and public value. At a time when cost-of-living pressures and broader systems of inequity are increasingly marginalising creative labour, we believe it is more important than ever to hold space that resists these trends.

If you’re in a position to contribute, your support would make a tangible difference. We hope you can come along and participate in our event - an opportunity to connect, experience new work, and contribute to the community of artist-led practice that makes our city’s cultural landscape so distinctive. If you plan to attend, please RSVP via the link in our bio, as this will assist us in planning hospitality and ensuring a welcoming environment for all.

Our fundraising auction will launch on the evening of the event and remain open for one week following, allowing time to view and purchase works beyond the night itself. Further details - including program highlights and featured artists - will be shared over the coming fortnight. For the first time, all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. 

RSVP here.

We are very grateful to the excellent folk at Konpira Maru who are sponsoring this event. Thanks guys! 

‍

‍

‍