THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS UNIT

ROY ANANDA
JACQUELINE BRADLEY
SASKIA HAALEBOS
BERNADETTE KLAVINS
RAQUEL ORMELLA
MARGARET RICHARDS
JAMES TYLOR

curated by ELEANOR SCICCHITANO

05 December 2020 - 28 February 2021

An unsolicited proposal originates from a private entity (either for-profit or not-for-profit) that does not fit into existing procurement processes and is submitted without formally being requested by the government.*

Artists create unsolicited proposals throughout their practice; unbidden, they explore and present new ways of looking, and speculate about our past, present and future. These explorations revitalise mediums and materials, draw our attention to histories that have been overlooked, and speak to a new future in the grips of climate change.

The Unsolicited Proposals Unit is an exhibition that brings together works by seven artists from South Australia and the ACT, to be presented at Canberra Contemporary Art Space. Curated by Eleanor Scicchitano, the exhibition takes the work of the Unsolicited Proposals Team, who are part of the South Australian Government Treasury and Finance Department, using their guidelines as a framework through which to present and discuss the exhibition works. Artists: Roy Ananda (SA), Bernadette Klavins (SA), Margaret Richards (SA), Jacqueline Bradley (ACT), Raquel Ormella (ACT), James Tylor (SA and ACT) and Saskia Haalebos (ACT).

*Source: Guidelines for the assessment of Unsolicited Proposals, September 2018 https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/doing-business-with-government/unsolicited-proposals

The Unsolicited Proposals Unit is generously supported by the South Australian Government through the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Image: Margaret Richards Tjukula Tjuta (2020) acrylic on Belgian linen 241x198 cm. Photo Brenton Colley