Mark Thompson - Sideshow Alice - Friday 19 November - Friday 17 December 2021

'Sideshow Alice'

‘We are the sum of many parts, but the first taste of freedom in the 60s, escaping from a post-war upbringing in Darwin was a revelation. Instilled with a rebellious streak and a dislike of officialdom and control, art school in Sydney was manna from heaven. The sex, drugs and the pop lyrics of rebellion against the older generation were astounding. It’s amazing there are as many alive today, given our excesses.

Alice, her minions and bizarre narrative have always been a not-so-secret touchstone for ideas and revolt. This body of work harks back to an earlier show, opened by the then Premier, Don Dunstan wearing a black silk top hat. Then, as now, the works riffed on various ideas based on Tenniel’s illustrations of the Alice books. The pieces are intended as light and frivolous constructs in a troubled time. Mere diversions to amuse.’ Mark Thompson, artist.