Cover image of the review
Installation view of Chris Madden, Untitled, 2021, wood, paper, thread, fabric mushroom, and Untitled, 2021, cardboard box, PCL pellet, dirt, lavender, eucalyptus, woodchips, Fact Republic, Savage Garden. Photo: Jordan Halsall.

Chris Madden: Fact Republic
  • Cameron Hurst


15 May 2021
Savage Garden 24 Apr - 16 May 2021

April was laden with bespoke events that combined fine food and fine art, prosecco pouring as tragic catalogue essays languished amongst the bacchanalia. Dégustation at Discordia featured vodka cured snapper tartare and roasted potato gelato with wattleseed choux: divine. Xmas at Guzzler showed two steel poles filled with rotten festive remains: disgusting. Gloppy grazing for the pastel ceramics set was covered by Please Do Not Eat The Sculptures at Missing Persons. Chris Madden’s exhibition Fact Republic at Savage Garden, the subject of this review, falls somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. I came for the mimosas, bagels (Mile End), and batch brew (Everyday Coffee). I stayed for the mayonnaise (Praise).

Sign in to read for free

Sign in for free to read the archive and get the latest review each Saturday morning. With our readers subscribing to our free weekly exhibition review, Memo Review can continue to publish quality, independent weekly art criticism.

Consider becoming a Patreon supporter or making a donation.

19