GUEST WORK AGENCY ADVISES ARTIST ALEX SETON ON AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL COMMISSION
Image: Installation view of For Every Drop Shed in Anguish in the garden of the Australian War Memorial. Image courtesy of the artist Alex Seton, photographed by Mark Pokorny.
Guest Work Agency has advised Alex Seton on his recent commission for the Australian War Memorial’s sculpture garden.
ABOUT THE COLLABORATION
Guest Work Agency would like to congratulate our client, Alex Seton, on his recently unveiled commission for the Australian War Memorial. Alex was unanimously selected by veterans and their families to create an artwork commemorating those who have experienced and witnessed ongoing trauma caused by war and military service. The work, titled ‘For Every Drop Shed in Anguish’ was officially unveiled on the 22nd of February at the Australian War Memorial.
The sculpture consists of 18 individual droplets of marble, which represent the blood, sweat and tears shed by those affected, their families and friends. The marble was sourced from Chillagoe, a town 140km west of Cairns, and then delivered to Western Sydney and Seton’s workshop. The marble has red lines and imperfections throughout, a deliberate design feature chosen by Seton to reflect the external and “internal scars caused by trauma” carried by current and ex-servicepersons. In particular, the sculpture speaks to not only the physical impact, but also the psychological scars of service, and the ripples that extend to family members. This is a departure from the usual heroic figures associated with commemorating service, and gives veterans, families, and visitors to the memorial a space to grieve and reflect.
LEGAL ADVICE FOR SETON’S ARTWORK COMMISSION
GWA provided legal advice for Seton on the commission process, which began in 2019. Director Alana Kushnir has commented:
“For Every Drop Shed in Anguish’ reflects Seton’s steadfast, experienced approach to the commissioning and execution process. Works like these are not quick fixes. They have solid contractual bones which support the parties throughout the life cycle of the artwork, beginning at the concept design stage and continuing all the way through to maintenance and repairs.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Alex Seton is a multi-disciplinary artist working with sculpture, photography, video and installation based on Gadigal land/ Sydney. His work is held by the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of South Australia and numerous other public institutions and private collections. He was awarded the major Sufferings of War and Service commission in 2019 which culminated in ‘For Every Drop Shed in Anguish’ opening in 2024.
Guest Work Agency is a boutique art law and advisory firm based in Melbourne, but is international in reach. It is the first dedicated art law practice in Australia, working with artists, collectors, galleries, arts organisations, art fairs and art tech start-ups.
For more information contact us at info@guestworkagency.art.