Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF) was established in April 2008 as a not-for-profit organisation to champion research, education and exhibitions of significant and innovative contemporary art from Australia, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
The two-decades long experience of developing Sherman Galleries as a respected commercial and educational enterprise within the international art world underpins the Foundation at both a conceptual and practical level.
EXHIBITIONS
SCAF works closely with artists in commissioning new work and developing exhibitions that energise and respond to the gallery’s four-part complex comprising a large exhibition area, mini ‘out-site’ space, versatile theatre annexe and outdoor sculpture court.
The multipurpose physical site and available cutting-edge technology enable the presentation of film and video to museum standards, immersive installations, architectural interventions, site-specific sculptures, as well as discussion panels and forums.
Extensive projects are developed through partnerships with public art institutions at a regional, state and national level, for example with Campbelltown Arts Centre and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.
Concurrent or travelling exhibitions, co-publications, discrete projects and off-site events feature and are constantly in planning.
RESIDENCY
Sherman Visual Arts Residency (SVAR) offers accommodation for visiting artists, filmmakers, architects, writers, curators and scholars.
Acclaimed Sydney architectural firm, Tzannes Associates, re-modelled the early 19th century workers cottage to include living/sleeping space, kitchen, bathroom and mini-courtyard.
EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS
Broad public engagement with contemporary art is fostered through publishing and forum programmes.
Respected broadcaster Margaret Throsby hosts informative and entertaining panel discussions with expert national and international panellists during the life of each new exhibition.
Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (SCAF) is honoured that award-winning international artist and long time friend Xu Bing has created the Foundation’s logo by rendering its acronym in his Square Word Calligraphy.
Square Word Calligraphy is a fusion of English and Chinese scripts whereby English words are rearranged in a square grid so that they assume the form of Chinese characters while remaining comprehensible to the English reader at the same time challenging cultural habits and assumptions.
Xu Bing’s logo reflects the aim of SCAF to champion research and mount exhibitions of innovative contemporary visual art from Asia and the Pacific Rim.
Opening hours:
Wed - Sat 11 am – 5 pm