An echo of failure heard from SAM to Austin, Texas



Melbourne artist, Penny Byrne, explains what
motivated her to created "The Four-Horsemen
 of the Twenty First Century" while Prof
Kate Auty listens on.
 

The failure and seriousness of government hierarchies to grasp and understand the implications of climate change is echoed around the world.

Just last night Melbourne artist Penny Byrne and University of Melbourne Professorial Fellow, Prof Kate Auty, lamented that fact and today it has been reported that the Texan city of Austin has leapt ahead of its State Government to embrace renewable energy.

Penny and Kate were at the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) to discuss the 2009 four-piece sculpture “The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse”.

With the SAM owned four-horsemen silently looking on, Penny talked about what motivated her to create the sculpture and reflected on thoughts from Kate that the governments of the world had responded inadequately to climate change and so the need to act had fell upon the people.

A story published on ClimateProgess headed: “One Texas City Plans To Get Over Half Of Its Power From Renewables By 2025” reflects comments made last night by Penny and Kate that governments from local through to national had failed to respond to the call to action on climate change.

Although, in Austin, Texas, as this story shows, it has been the city’s administrators that have acted to take the metropolis down the path of renewable energy.

Penny's interpretation of what 'interesting' really means

The twenty-first century will, unquestionably, be interesting.



Penny Byrne's: "The Four
 Horsemen of the Twenty
First Century Apocalypse".
 



And on Wednesday evening, December 17, Goulburn Valley people will have the chance to learn more about what “interesting” actually means.

Using bits and pieces she collected for second-hand shop, Melbourne’s Penny Byrne created “The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse”.

The four-piece sculpture is was bought in 2010 by the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) and will be the topic for discussion on Wednesday evening between Penny and the University of Melbourne’s Vice Chancellor’s fellow, Professor Kate Auty.

Museum director, Kirsten Paisley is excited that a piece owned by the museum will be the subject of a public discussion.

The session is at the Welsford St, art museum and is scheduled to start at 7:30pm for 8:00pm. Seating, which is limited to 90, is already at least half gone and people should book by calling the museum on 5832 9861.

Discussing “The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse”

A Melbourne artist will next week explain to her Shepparton audience what motivated her to create the four-piece sculpture “The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse”.

Penny Byrne will discuss with Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and the former Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, Kate Auty, what drove her to create the work.

Penny Byrne's "The Four Horsemen
of The Twenty First Century
Apocalypse" will be discussed at
SAM on Wednesday, December 17.

Penny and Kate, watched by “four horsemen”, will discuss the sculpture at the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) on Wednesday, December 17, at 7:30 for 8:00pm.

The Friends of SAM and the Shepparton-based group, Slap Tomorrow, have worked together to make the evening of conversation possible.

Penny is the ceramic artist dubbed by the Art Collector ‘the porcelain vandal’ who made “The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse” back in 2009.

The sculpture represents four of the great cultural challenges to human kind and the many other species of nature on earth are represented through the names of the horses; water shortages, peak oil, food scarcity and over population.

Each of these challenges have been described by philosophers as ‘unintended’ consequences of the phenomenal successes of the industrial revolution, an epoch which is said to be moving beyond its own logic into a phase of self dissolution; a transitional Apocalypse navigated through the ‘risk society’ and it’s promising technologies, to somewhere that is not yet, a time, that we hope will bring a more harmonious and flourishing environment to the world.

SAM acquired Penny Byrne’s beautiful four-piece porcelain artwork for the permanent collection in 2010. The horsemen represent a contemporary interpretation of the biblical revelation story of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

Those planning to hear Penny and Kate need to book as seating is limited to 90. Bookings can be made at the Shepparton Art Museum by phoning (03) 5832 9861.

 

An Important partnered event: CHANGING HORSEMEN MID-APOCALYPSE

 

By Ian Coldwell

The Four Horsemen of the Twenty
 First Century Apocalypse -
artist Penny Bryne will discuss
what is was that drove her
to create this unusual
art-work held at the Shepparton
Art Museum.

The multiple effects of a changing climate are on many people’s minds these days, including artists.

On Wednesday, December 17,  at 7.30 for 8:00 pm in the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), the Friends of SAM and Slap Tomorrow will present an evening of conversation between Penny Byrne and Kate Auty.

Penny is the ceramic artist dubbed by the Art Collector ‘the porcelain vandal’ who made “The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse” back in 2009.

Kate is a Vice Chancellors Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and the former Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria. 

SAM acquired Penny Byrne’s beautiful four piece porcelain artwork for the permanent collection in 2010. The horsemen represent a contemporary interpretation of the biblical revelation story of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

In Penny’s story, four of the great cultural challenges to human kind and the many other species of nature on earth are represented through the names of the horses; water shortages, peak oil, food scarcity and over population.

Each of these challenges have been described by philosophers as ‘unintended’ consequences of the phenomenal successes of the industrial revolution, an epoch which is said to be moving beyond its own logic into a phase of self dissolution; a transitional Apocalypse navigated through the ‘risk society’ and it’s promising technologies, to somewhere that is not yet, a time, that we hope will bring a more harmonious and flourishing environment to the world.

Penny Byrne at work on one
 of the four horseman.

Who better to have in conversation about an artwork that encompasses these serious questions than the artist herself, Penny Byrne, and a person who keeps such a watchful eye over environmental sustainability, Kate Auty? 

The committees of the Friends of SAM and Slap Tomorrow are excited to present this opportunity for the public to participate in an important discussion over a drink and a nibble.

The Four Horsemen of the Twenty First Century Apocalypse will be mounted on their steeds and their plinths in the gallery that night. Do come along. 

Artist will explain 'The Four Horsemen of the 21st Century Apocalypse'



Penny Byrne's "The Four Horsemen of the
 21st Century Apocalypse" - she will
talk about them at the Shepparton
Art Museum in December.

Visual artist Penny Byrne will explain later this year what inspired her to create of “The Four Horsemen of the 21st Century Apocalypse”.

The Melbourne-based artist will discuss what it was that drove her to craft the four-piece sculpture with the University of Melbourne’s vice-chancellor’s fellow and the former Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in Victoria, Professor Kate Auty

Ms Byrne and Pro Auty, in the presence of “the four horsemen”, will discuss the sculpture at the Shepparton Art Gallery (SAM) on Wednesday, December 17, at 6pm.

The event, which is free, was originated by Slap Tomorrow, and is being staged with the co-operation of the Friends of SAM.

Those planning to attend should RSVP to art museum at (03) 5832 9861 or by email at SAM. 

Promotional material for the sculpture says: “The Four Horsemen of the 21sr Century Apocalypse” alerts us to this century’s looming environment and political disasters: water shortage, peak oil, over population and the control of nature’s seed stock.



Penny Byrne at work on
 one of her horsemen.

“From the stainless steel pot scourer, ceramic bowls, to the eyeless doll head and plastic swords to a multitude of tiny people, seeds, glass and other embellishments, the reproduction Tang Dynasty horses symbolise the great challenges of this century and warn us that an inadequate response might result in an apocalypse that the Revelation did not really imagine”, it says.

The sculpture is a part of the SAM collection.