Caught in the Light

Caught in the Light attempts to capture and reproduce that moment of surprise when something unexpected occurs. This video-based show represents a resonant 25-year relationship between Broken Hill Art Exchange and artists connected with UNSW. While many came here specifically to make video-based artworks, others worked up video footage while creating and installing other works.* No matter why they came here, all found themselves – in one way or another – caught in the light of the city, the land and the people out west.

* Additional contributors to the showreels chosen by the curators: two degrees of separation.

Image: Stephanie Margaritidis

Explore Caught in the Light between 17th and 19th October

  • West Darling Arts

  • Palace Hotel

  • Broken Hill Art Exchange Kitchen Gallery

  • The Old Brewery

Abigail Montgomery I keep missing the train .jpeg
Allan Giddy You .jpeg
Amelia Van der Laan De Fre.jpeg
Beastliness - Deborah Kelly 2.jpeg
Beastliness - Deborah Kelly.jpeg
Eleonora Pasti Nameless with Allan Giddy as yet untitled.jpeg
Helen M Sturgess & Eleonora Pasti Trace II .jpeg
Ihor Holubizky Waiting for the solar eclipse.jpeg
Speek to me Captain - Deep Veneer.jpeg
Susan Thomas & Cynthia Schwertsik Desert Pearls .jpeg
Susan Thomas & Cynthia Schwertsik Desert Pearls.jpeg
Susan Thomas & Cynthia Schwertsik Desert Pearls.jpeg
Waiting for the solar eclipse - Ihor Holubizky .jpeg

Video Works

Helen M Sturgess & Eleonora Pasti Trace II displayed at West Darling Arts Offices

UNSW – ERIA and BHAE Inc - collaborative partnership

Susan Thomas, Founder and Originator of the Broken Hill Art Exchange Inc. (BHAE)

The Environmental Research Initiative for Art (ERIA) at UNSW has been central to the Broken Hill Art Exchange (BHAE) since the early 2000s, introducing pioneering workshops, visiting staff, and collaborative projects that positioned BHAE within national and international conversations on art, research, and environment. Under Allan Giddy’s direction, ERIA co-curated Desert Equinox (2012) and held its 10th Anniversary - DE10 in 2022. Desert Equinox became BHAE’s flagship project, a solar-powered, community-driven project, supported by ARC Linkage and Creative Australia funding. ERIA’s influence began with UNSW-led video and media arts workshops (2001–2004), facilitated by staff including Atanas Djonov, Jamil Yamani, and John Gillies, which engaged local communities while generating international outcomes such as Giddy’s work at Tate Modern. Over time, BHAE became an active hub for UNSW academics, students, and alumni—including Bonita Ely, Martin Sims, Sandra Landolt, and Zachariah Fenn—while annual visits led by Hobart Hughes and Louise Fowler-Smith established Broken Hill residencies as an informal student group tradition. Revitalised by ERIA workshops in 2016 and 2023, the partnership continues, with a joint ERIA–BHAE exhibition planned for 2025.

Participating Artists

  • Abigail Montgomery   I keep missing the train (2025)

  • Adam Laerkesen   Homesick (2025)

  • Allan Giddy   You (2005); as yet untitled (2025)

  • Amelia Van Der Laan De Vries   Lakes (2023)

  • Atanas Djonov   Departure (2009); Speak to me captain (with Deep Veneer, 2023)

  • Caroline Huf   Thort bubbles/dividing cells (2006); Back to the Mallee (2011)

  • Cynthia Schwertsik   Beyond Worlds End: blundering past latitude -33.7877, longitude 139.0454 (2025); Peri Urban Progress #22 (2025)

  • David Mackenzie   Der Kuss (2005); Beaconsfield (2005) Action Potential (2005)

  • Deborah Kelly   Beastliness (2011)

  • Eleonora Pasti   nameless (2025)

  • Eva Muller   Synchronicity (c2000)

  • Helen M Sturgess   Wall (excerpt, 2007)

  • Helen M Sturgess & Eleonora Pasti   Trace II (2007 & 2025)

  • Hobart Hughes   The Wind Calls Your Name (c2000); Removed (c2000); Swimming in the Garden (2012); Bio Mass (c2000)

  • Jamil Yamani   Coming Together (2005)

  • John Gillies   Postscript (2007); House (2010)

  • Lena Obergfell   Sunrise – Flies (2011); Sun’s Out (2011)

  • Mahmoud Yekta   Slogun (2007)

  • Martin Sims   Quartet for H (2005); Nature Studies (2007)

  • Michael Donohue   Metromorphosis (2025)

  • NEWS collective (Allan Giddy, Atanas Djonov, Jamil Yamani, Mark Brown)   Circlework (2004)

  • Sandra Landolt   Solo push for zero AGL (2006/7); Parapluie Rouge (2011)

  • Sumugan Sivanesan   An Equal and Opposite Force (2004)

  • Susan Thomas & Cynthia Schwertsik   Desert Pearls (2020)

  • Vienna Parreño   An/aesthetic (2001)

  • Volker Kuchelmeister   Deconstructing Double District (2013)