Introducing Sense of Direction, a colourful collaboration between Georgie and Alex of Alpha60, and multihyphenate artist Brendan Huntley. A simple idea that originated as a solo rug, morphed into a much bigger one. With multiple works spanning across 32 metres.
From the initial conversation back in 2019, the idea for the project grew through countless meetings. The synergy and excitement between Brendan, Alex and Georgie enabled the concept to evolve and the singular rug morphed into an ambitious immersive installation, with accompanying clocks to mirror the rug’s motifs.
With expertise in fabric and textile design and construction, Alpha60 have brought the works of Brendan Huntley to life — in object form. The rugs feature an array of Huntley’s bright and characteristic motifs including faces, celestial beings, clocks, butterflies and eyes. They speak to the artist’s musings on the often temporary nature of personal transformation; how the landscape of individual growth moves in random patterns; and the way that euphoric moments of understanding can be fleeting.
Sense of Direction, at Heide
The collaborative exhibition, Sense of Direction, was an installation of paintings, sculptures, monotypes, rugs, clocks and jewellery, which together explore the transience of personal transformation. From the 11th march to the 10th April, Alpha60 and Brendan Huntley took over the exceptional Heide Modern building, and Heide, Museum of Modern Art.
The centrepiece of the exhibition was a 32-metre-long rug, custom-made to traverse the spaces of Heide Modern, spanning both floors and flowing from room to room. Brendan will also be unveiling his largest painting to date and recent sculptures, as well as archival artworks acquired by Alex and Georgie of Alpha60 over the years.
“The idea of creating something that will be shown in Heide Modern – and the house’s extraordinary history – inspired us to exaggerate the scale of a domestic item, to reflect how the space blurs the lines between house and museum,” said Brendan.
The rug features an array of Brendan’s bright motifs including faces, celestial beings, clocks, butterflies and eyes. They speak to Brendan’s musings on the often temporary nature of personal transformation; how the landscape of individual growth moves in random patterns and how euphoric moments of understanding can be fleeting.
Alex, Georgie and Brendan began moving in the same circles when Brendan was gaining popularity as the front-man of Eddy Current Suppression Ring. Georgie said, “Our journey started with a friendship, became a desire to work together, sparked an idea, which has culminated in an exhibition.” Georgie and Alex went to one of Brendan’s first exhibitions at Hell Gallery in Richmond and bought a painting of a pair of upside-down wine glasses with faces on them – the painting still hangs in Georgie’s bedroom today. Throughout Brendan’s art career, Georgie and Alex have followed him through multiple galleries and collected many of his works.
VIRTUAL TOUR
Experience the exhibition and Heide Modern space for yourself with our interactive virtual tour.