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Mikala Dwyer: Chromakinda

Stylised version of Sesame Street Big Bird. Bright yellow colours on a soft cream background.

Chromakinda was the inaugural commission for the Museum’s new Kids Gallery. Artist Mikala Dwyer had created a space where children learned through play and performance. The fully immersive installation invited children and their carers to activate their imaginations. There were costumes for adults and kids, stage curtains that allowed for performances to open onto the street, custom lighting in the form of suspended orb-like sculptures, and chalkboard portals for drawing embedded in the psychedelic wall painting that enclosed the space.

Extended from Chromakinda was a curated selection of Wonder Cupboard installations by five artists selected by Mikala Dwyer. The Wonder Cupboard journey began in the Kids Gallery then took visitors upstairs as they sought the other four hidden cupboards. Inside were the work of Sarah Goffman, Stevie Fieldsend, Kate O’Boyle, Adriane Boag, and Hossein Ghaemi.

This lively new space encouraged kids to stay and play in the Museum, and had formed part of our permanent program. A new artist will take over the space every year, creating new opportunities to play and learn through artist-led installations.

The Kids Gallery redevelopment has been made possible due to funding from the Australian Government’s RISE program, and Destination NSW.

Thank you to Kate O’Boyle who collaborated with Mikala Dwyer on costume design and production.

Supported by Metal Manufacturers.

About the Artist

Mikala Dwyer is an Australian artist celebrated for her expansive work in the fields of painting, sculpture, and performance. Dwyer creates immersive spaces alive with material possibility and that encourage open interaction.

Dwyer has exhibited internationally since 1982 and has been celebrated with solo presentations at the Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane and Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne.

: A colourful room with different lines surrounding the walls and a yellow archway in the background. A collection of costumes hangs from the wall.
Mikala Dwyer

Chromakinda, 2022
Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

Young children and a woman in an iridescent dress play in a colourful room
Mikala Dwyer

Chromakinda, 2022
Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

A girl in a sequins cloak raises her arms above her head in an arch
Mikala Dwyer

Chromakinda, 2022
Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

A colourful wall with layers like a cavern walls each with a different bright colour. A plastic colourful light in the shape of a stone hangs from above.
Mikala Dwyer

Chromakinda, 2022
Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

A woman holding her daughter looks through a series of costumes. In her hands she holds a pointy hat
Mikala Dwyer

Chromakinda, 2022,
Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

A room of children and adults wearing bright costumes and the walls painted in bright colours
Mikala Dwyer

Chromakinda, 2022,
Photo by Jeremy Weihrauch

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