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Media Release
TAFE NSW Ultimo | 10 September 2026
New TAFE NSW exhibition challenges how museums tell our stories
‘Museum / Object brings together artists who use the museum itself as both subject and material.’
Isobel Johnston, TAFE NSW Visual Arts teacher
Australian artists are challenging audiences to rethink the role of museums, objects and cultural history in a new exhibition opening at the heritage-listed Muse Gallery at TAFE NSW Ultimo tomorrow night.
Museum / Object will feature 35 diverse and contemporary artists. The work explores the museum as a place of display, interpretation, memory and power through sculpture, text, moving image, installations, paintings, photography and performative practices.
The Museum / Object exhibition serves as a launchpad for the next generation of curators, with 30 students completing the Certificate IV in Arts and Cultural Administration (Galleries and Museums) responsible for curating and installing the show. Australia's cultural and creative workforce employs more than 591,000 people, with employment growing 33 percent since 2008-9.
Among the featured artists is Anne Zahalka, whose touring exhibition Zahalkaworld: An Artist’s Archive was organised by The Museum of Photography. Also, Philipa Hagon, former artist in residence in Mike Hewson’s exhibition The Key is Under the Mat at the Art Gallery of NSW. Adam Norton is also featured. Adam is the current recipient of the 3:33 Art Projects - Abbotsleigh Grace Cossington Smith art award 2026.
Through their work, the artists challenge traditional museum conventions. They’re encouraging audiences to consider how objects are interpreted and how cultural narratives are created.
Curator and TAFE NSW Visual Arts teacher, Isobel Johnston, said Museum / Object invites audiences to look beyond the objects on display and consider the systems and stories that shape our understanding of them.
“Museum / Object brings together artists who use the museum itself as both subject and material,” Ms Johnston said. “The exhibition invites audiences to consider how museums shape cultural narratives and how contemporary artists can challenge, disrupt and expand those narratives through creative practice.”
The exhibition will be on display at the Muse Gallery, TAFE NSW Ultimo, from 11 to 25 September. The opening event will be held on Thursday 11 September.
Among the featured artists is Anne Zahalka, whose touring exhibition Zahalkaworld: An Artist’s Archive was organised by The Museum of Photography. Also, Philipa Hagon, former artist in residence in Mike Hewson’s exhibition The Key is Under the Mat at the Art Gallery of NSW. Adam Norton is also featured. Adam is the current recipient of the 3:33 Art Projects - Abbotsleigh Grace Cossington Smith art award 2026.
Through their work, the artists challenge traditional museum conventions. They’re encouraging audiences to consider how objects are interpreted and how cultural narratives are created.
Curator and TAFE NSW Visual Arts teacher, Isobel Johnston, said Museum / Object invites audiences to look beyond the objects on display and consider the systems and stories that shape our understanding of them.
“Museum / Object brings together artists who use the museum itself as both subject and material,” Ms Johnston said. “The exhibition invites audiences to consider how museums shape cultural narratives and how contemporary artists can challenge, disrupt and expand those narratives through creative practice.”
The exhibition will be on display at the Muse Gallery, TAFE NSW Ultimo, from 11 to 25 September. The opening event will be held on Thursday 11 September.
Exhibition: Museum / Object
Location: The Muse Gallery, TAFE NSW Ultimo, 651 Harris Street, Building C
Opening event: Friday, 11 September, 6-8pm
Exhibition dates: 14-25 September and Saturday 19 September, 2pm-4pm
Open: Wednesday to Friday only, 12pm-4pm
Media enquiries only: Melanie O’Connell, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
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