Primavera 2017: Young Australian Artists brings together artworks by eight young artists from across Australia artists that question natural and human-made archives, from the physical to the digital.

For the 26th edition of Primavera, curator Sophia Kouyoumdjian will work with the participating artists to explore the theme of ‘Ancient Futures’. Each work in the exhibition will consider the relationship between existence in the present, and the past, in relation to archives and collections.

Working across a range of disciplines such as collage, installation, painting, photography and video, the Primavera 2017 artists include Jacobus Capone (WA), Adam John Cullen (VIC), Nicole Foreshew (NSW), Teelah George (WA), Laura Hindmarsh (TAS/UK), Elena Papanikolakis (NSW), Tom Polo (NSW) and Kynan Tan (WA/NSW).

Curator Sophia Kouyoumdjian has worked in the arts sector for over 15 years across directorial, curatorial and exhibition management roles and is currently the Coordinator of Parramatta Artist Studios. Previously she worked as the Acting Director and Curator at Blacktown Arts Centre and has comprehensive experience in Western Sydney’s contemporary art community.

Primavera is the MCA’s annual exhibition of Australian artists aged 35 years and under. Since 1992, the series has showcased the works of artists in the early stages of their career, many of whom have gone on to exhibit nationally and internationally.

Primavera was initiated in 1992 by Dr Edward Jackson AM and Mrs Cynthia Jackson AM and their family in memory of their daughter and sister Belinda, a talented jeweller who died at the age of 29.