Morphogenesis

Curated by Gertrude and Xxijra Hii, Morphogenesis brings together a compelling selection of contemporary artists whose works explore themes of transformation, interconnectedness, and the evolving boundaries of identity and materiality. The exhibition’s title, derived from the biological process by which organisms develop and change form, serves as a metaphor for the creative forces driving the artists’ practices. Through painting, sculpture, video, and installation, the works reflect on how personal, cultural, and societal narratives emerge, dissolve, and recombine, forming complex and unpredictable new entities. From Timothy Hon Hung Lee’s layered meditations on heritage and identity to Bo Lanyon’s visceral explorations of entanglement, the exhibition showcases a range of approaches to form, material, and meaning. Theo Ellison’s probing of romanticized narratives through multi-media works and Reb Sangster’s distorted depictions of the body interrogate the dissolution of self in the digital age. Carl Anderson’s fragile yet forceful ceramics challenge notions of masculinity and resilience, while Rosemary Jane Cronin’s surreal and subversive sculptures explore the interplay between gender, sexuality, and psychoanalysis. Fi Isidore’s theatrical marquetry evokes the performative and sensual qualities of materiality, and Emma Tod’s ambiguous layers of paint collapse the boundaries between fleeting moments and timeless spaces. Marcus Jefferies reimagines architectural forms as tactile, human-centered objects, while Lera Kelemen’s immersive installations explore bodily vulnerability and transformation through an internal architecture made visible. Together, these works highlight the ever-shifting arena of human experience, inviting viewers to navigate the intersections of personal and collective histories, material and immaterial worlds, and the intimate and the universal. Through the practices of these ten artists, Morphogenesis celebrates the potential of collaboration to expand the scope and impact of contemporary art, offering a space where experimental practices and critical conversations can thrive. Through this partnership, Gertrude and Xxijra Hii demonstrate the power of collective vision in shaping and supporting a flourishing artistic ecosystem.