This exhibition takes inspiration from Italo Calvino’s short story ‘The Spiral’, which speculatively explores the evolutionary journey of eyes from the perspective of a mollusc. By developing a shell-something beautiful to look at-this mollusc begins the process of eye evolution. The story culminates in a proliferation of gazes unfolding between animals and humans, above and below the water’s surface. All these eyes were mine explores surfaces as paradoxical entities, serving as barriers and bridges between worlds.

The exhibition emerged from spending time along the Maribyrnong River and thinking about the animals in the water returning Anatol’s gaze. Through drawing, photography, sound, and installation it aims to deconstruct the acts of looking and listening in order to consider technology, infrastructure, manufactured materials, and ecological relationships.

Artist bios

Anatol Pitt is an artist and writer based in Melbourne/Naarm. He works primarily across drawing, photography and video installation to think through the relationships between systems of perception, ecology, technology and history. Central to his practice is the close-up interrogation of surface and textures as sites of relationships and meaning.

Benjamin Woods is an artist who produces writing, sculpture, and sound art through he’s research into the imbalance between notions of form and matter in forming practices.  

Sebastian Henry-Jones’ curatorial approach is led by an interest in DIY thinking, and situated in the context provided by the gentrification of Sydney and Melbourne’s cultural landscapes. Seb is the Curator at West Space, Melbourne, and was previously Curatorial Assistant for the 22nd and 23rd editions of the Biennale of Sydney, NIRIN and Rivus.

Opening night

Friday, 19 April, 6-8pm

The opening night, with speeches and a Welcome to Country, will be held at Incinerator Gallery alongside exhibitions Country is Calling, The light draws along… and fruits, flowers, and a psychoscape.

Public program

Artist Talk

Saturday, 22 June, 2pm
Free – Registrations recommended

Join artist Anatol Pitt in conversation with writer and curator Sebastian Henry-Jones as they discuss the exhibition. This will be followed by a sonic response by artist Benjamin Woods.