The Beholders’ Share

The exhibition is inspired by and named after the phrase The Beholders’ Share.

With Shannon Wardroper (Dip '90, Fibre) 

This art term describes how past personal history shapes our experience of art, whether that be enjoyment, elation, bewilderment, disgust or boredom. The idea that a viewer brings personal history and meaning to a work, that the brain indeed finishes the work, and that this interplay makes all art a collaboration between artist and audience seems akin to life itself. Communication, collaboration and respect between us, others and our natural environment are vital to thrive.

The sculptural fortune-teller game structure highlights this engagement in the game's choice versus chance interactive nature, especially the impact of our choices on the environment. Our lives are a selection of intentional and random events that we physically and emotionally participate in and assign meaning to as we move forward. Today, neuroscience shows how our experiences shape our perception, as the brain uses the past to make sense of the outside world. Depending on our history and awareness, this can be either a benefit or a liability.