"... it has been such a struggle these years to make actual space perceivable in a work of contemporary art. Though this need not mean I cannot at least try to create a space in which this might be seen; one in which we might feel, for a moment, a little less alone." - Gail Hastings

Gail Hastings' "sculptural situations" are neither installation nor sculpture but spaces where the viewer is encouraged to translate the material aspects of what can be seen with other imperceptible dimensions.

This new work, presented in the gallery's contemporary project space, consists of four sculptural situations, one of which may have us wonder where the missing walls of Walter Burley Griffin's winning 1911 plan for Canberra might be. Her project reanimates the minimalist idea of encouraging the viewer into more active participation with the work. Clues in the form of real objects, such as chairs and tables, and abstract geometric forms in two and three dimensions, create a space for the viewer to decode the intention and structure of Hastings' propositions.

Gail Hastings was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1965. Since 1989 her sculptural situations have been included in prominent public and private exhibitions here and overseas. The work difficult art decision: wall six (1998), the second in the 'Difficult Art Decisions' series, is often re-exhibited as part of a major German contemporary art collection: in 'Geometrical Affairs' (Berlin, 2001; Stadtgalerie Kiel, 2002), 'Minimalism and After' (Berlin, 2002) and at the Museum for Contemporary Art, ZKM, (Karlsruhe, 2003). Her most recent solo exhibition was plans (Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, 2003). Since 1999 Hastings has lived and worked in Sydney.

Exhibition supported by National Capital Authority, Canberra

Level 2 AGNSW Contemporary Projects are supported by Andrew Cameron and UBS.