Curator of the showcase Soft Core, Micheal Do said the artworks are a survey of softness.

“The exhibition looks at softness through contemporary art practices of Australian and international artists,” he said.

“Some are literally soft to touch, others are illusions of softness and some use it as a metaphor of softness.”

Mr Do said once you step inside an art gallery it's a place for questions, ideas and stimuli. 

“For me, this exhibition is shifting people's perceptions of art and what artists can do,” he said.

“We live our days in these black or white screens and it’s fascinating to see what artists in this age define as sculptures. 

“So many people think of sculptures as super macho with wood or bronze, but these artists completely throw that away and test the boundaries.” 

For Soft Core, Griffith born sculptor Yates created a gallery of historic figures, forsaking the traditional marble for the “soft” form of discarded foam. 

Making up his Foam Corps you’ll meet figures including Marie Antoinette, Joan of Arc, Sherlock Holmes, Albert Einstein and Queen Victoria , all hand-crafted using foam, spray paint and hot melt glue.

Mr Do said it has been an immensely rewarding project working with the different artists. 

“It's been a learning experience,” he said.

“Half of the artists were senior and the other half were emerging talent and the process gave them time, money and space to experiment.”

Working with so many artists and ensuring all their visions is a trade secret, Mr Do joked. 

“At the end of the day it's a lot of commitment, patient and trust,” he said.

“All those things together, that's when you achieve the greatest result, but I also think limitations and boundaries push people.” 

From Michael Parekowhai’s huge inflatable bunny to Simon Yates’ foam sculptures and Koji Ryui’s animated Have a Nice Day clay-filled shopping bags, Soft Core brings together a colourfully provocative collection of works from 12 Australian and international artists, in an exploration of the meaning of “softness”.

Entry is free and in conjunction with the show the Gallery will be offering free guided booked tours and special activities exploring the themes of the exhibition. 

Soft Core will be showcased at the Wagga Art Gallery from August 11 – October 28. 

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