Artworks exploring memory and the objects that preserve or evoke them are at the heart of RELICS, an exhibition by graduates of TAFE SA’s Adelaide College of the Arts (AC Arts).

Nine graduates from the class of 2021 have created new work for the exhibition, which is being staged with the support of an Adelaide Fringe Foundation grant.

Curator and participating artist Shani Engelbrecht says the exhibition is a reunion show that highlights how each artist has evolved their practice since graduating.

The artists, including Ashleigh Keller, Billie Rasmussen, Claudia Turon, Cobie Sinclair, Dale Miller-Cama, Holly Phillipson, Holly Rysdale and Lauren Bzowy, recognise themselves as “relics” of the experiences that have shaped them, both at arts school and in life, explains Shani.

“At its core, RELICS engages with memory both subtly and directly, whether through nostalgia that invites the audience to remember or through histories embedded in materials and techniques,” she says.

The exhibition is Shani’s first as a curator, enabling her to draw on skills gained in a year-long Cultural Leaders Program with Act Now Theatre, as well as the diverse projects she has worked on as part of her multi-disciplinary practice.

Shani says she was well supported by her peer Lauren Bzowy, who was assistant curator, and the visual arts lecturers at AC Arts, where “it still feels like home”.

“It’s so interesting to see how people have grown and developed their practice since art school,” Shani says.

“For example, Cobie (Sinclair) graduated as a photographer, but she’s brought out something new with sculpture and Billie (Rasmussen) did printmaking in third year, yet she’s used gouache, painting and collage in her work for this show.”

The exhibition includes ceramics, textiles, painting, sculpture and installations that encourage audience involvement and reflection.

“I’m really happy with the install of this exhibition. In my mind I wanted it to be a space for people to come and reflect, and we’ve created that space,” Shani says.

“I’m also really proud of the programming and the way we activated the gallery through workshops, an artist talk, and a tactile tour.”

Shani and Lauren secured a CreateSA Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disability Grant to support a tactile tour of the exhibition and to have audio descriptions created for Billie Rasmussen’s work.

“These elements were an important part of our commitment to accessibility and expanding how audiences could engage with the exhibition,” Shani says.

RELICS is at Light Square Gallery, AC Arts, 39 Light Square, until 5 March.

Pictured, top, is opening night of the exhibition at Light Square Gallery (photo by Nash Blight) and, above, Shani Engelbrecht in the exhibition space.