A/D D/A

10 March - 15 April

The exhibition explores the duality of two Greek gods – Apollo and Dionysus – and their influence on Western art from the ancient world to the 21st century.

The opposition and co-dependence of Apollo and Dionysus have inspired artists and thinkers throughout history. Apollo, the Sun god, champions logic and rational interpretation, examining one’s mind and psyche before action, rather than performing based on impulses. Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre, hedonism and ecstasy, is linked with destruction and madness. The Apollonian, represented throughout history, is linked with creation, the sublime and the beautiful dream image; whereas the Dionysian, neglected in classical thinking, affirm both the horror and bliss of life, and becoming one with nature. This exhibition uses these ancient ideas and modern, critical thought to engage with the dialogue between these two ways of being and consider the synthesis and balance of these ideals in artistic practice today.