Collective Tear 1/6

Renee Pastore and Brooke Ferguson are emerging curators who work together to create exhibitions that stretch the boundaries of how we see and think about the world. We are currently undertaking the Helpmann Academy’s Emerging Curator Residency program at Mixed Goods under the mentorship of experienced curator Anna Zagala, with the generous support of The City of Charles Stuart.

Our current project is called Collective Tear. Collective Tear is the culminating work of this residency. The proposal is for 4-6 artists who live or work in the City of Charles Sturt to come together for a one-week exhibition as part of the SALA festival this August, 2026.

Conceptually, the exhibition speaks to our worldwide collective moment. We are experiencing great acts of violence, despair, imbalanced power and uncertainty. The natural order is shifting. With these large impacts on the world, it's no wonder we, as individuals, are experiencing change and noticing collective shifts in our personal and relational lives. In response, we are curating this exhibition about ideas of transition, of what happens in between the collapse and regeneration. 

The elevator waiting area. The early morning. The times when dreams are fulfilled or dreams sink and there is this transition and waiting for what’s next. Something occurs, a rupture, crumbling around the edges long enough that the shape has changed into something not yet recognisable. Soon seedlings will emerge from these cracks. Not quite awake, not quiet asleep. Not quite new, not quite old. 

The invisible infrastructures conducting our collective rhythm are discarded but not yet recycled. Dead, decomposition to begin shortly.

It is an honour to collaborate with someone who truly inspires me, Ms Renee Pastore. And we are in awe and absolute appreciation of all of the incredible people who are directly supporting our growth. Thank you.