In times of alarmingly diminishing art school options in the tertiary and higher education systems, Space YZ, commissioned by Campbelltown Arts Centre and curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham, draws inspiration from the visual arts legacy of Western Sydney University (formerly known as University of Western Sydney).

From the first graduating class in 1986 to the final cohort as the curtain closed in 2009, the art school was a pioneering hub for experimentation and risk-taking across a broad variety of media.

Staged twelve years since the closure of the art school, Space YZ presents significant early works created by 88 Visual Arts and Electronic Arts alumni during their undergraduate studies or within two years of graduation.

‘Space YZ’ references the university gallery established on campus in 1992. A transitional space, the gallery was literally an oversized corridor connecting the Z Block art studios to the rest of the university on the Kingswood side of the Penrith campus. Less a destination than an idling walkway, Space YZ speaks to the metaphors of transition and connection that abound at art school; where ideologies are challenged and unique artistic identities forged.

Including early work by Brook Andrew, Liam Benson, Raquel Ormella, Savanhdary Vongpoothorn and Justene Williams among many others, Space YZ celebrates the vibrant artistic practices that have flourished from this important institution, while advocating for better access to art school education in Western Sydney and across Australia. View the full artist list here.

This website is a dynamic extension of Space YZ, expanding upon the narratives in the exhibition and highlighting the influence this Fine Arts Faculty held. In the lead up to and over the course of the exhibition, this site will feature commissioned texts and reflections from students, artists, academics and teachers from the school, as well as artist profiles. It will provide access to the abundance of engaging archival material, graduation catalogues, images and video content, as well as the unique Foundation Studies projects undertaken by first year students.

Space YZ Project Team

Project Director: Michael Dagostino
Curator: Daniel Mudie Cunningham
Curatorial Manager: Emily Rolfe
Curatorial Associate: Adam Porter
Assistant Curator: Hannah James  

Production Team Leader: Paul Welch
Production Assistant: Jenny Tubby
Exhibition Designer: Cherie Schweitzer
Carpenter: David Hawkes
Installation Team: Akil Ahamat, Nicci Bedson, Corrigan Fairbairn, Preston Hawkes, David Langosch, Nathan Moore, Phu Nguyen, Bec O’Shea, Sam Spragg, Athena Thebus, Brendan Van Hek, Kai Wasikowski, Paul Williams.

Marketing Officer: Danielle Farrugia
Designer: Ashley Murray
Creative Learning and Engagement Officer: Timothy George 
Website Project Assistant: Anne Cutajar
Project Intern: Blanche Kennedy 

Working Party: Peter Charuk, Anne Graham, David Haines, Terry Hayes, Cheo Chai-Hiang, Joyce Hinterding, David Hull, Noelene Lucas, Eugenia Raskopoulos, Julie Rrap.

Special thanks to Arnies Recon for their generous loan of televisions.

Daniel Mudie Cunningham thanks: Michael Dagostino, Emily Rolfe, Adam Porter, Hannah James and all the incredible C-A-C staff and contractors involved; the Working Party composed of former UWS academics and especially Terry Hayes for his archive and agitation; Barney Glover, Monica McMahon and Cathie Lester from WSU; Bianca Willoughby for digitising hours of VHS; everyone who contributed to the Space YZ website; the public and private lenders to the exhibition; and most importantly, the 88 artists included in Space YZ. A personal nod to the enduring UWS-formed friends who supported this project in various invaluable ways: Liam Benson, Drew Bickford, Emma Crimmings, Helen Grace, Tim Hilton, Toby Huynh, Jennifer Leahy, Michelle Lee, Erna Lilje, Noelene Lucas, Eugenia Raskopoulos, Sari Rossi and George Tillianakis.

To Phillip Kent, Daniel Kojta, Debra Porch and Jon Wah -
loved and missed.