CREATION is a lively multi-artform artwork instigated by Sydney-based artist Deborah Kelly in collaboration with artists and local communities. Over five years it has appeared in wildly distinct manifestations at the MCA, as performance at the Sydney Opera House, World Pride, for the Biennale of Sydney (2024) and as visual art exhibitions in galleries from Victoria to Queensland, with major presentations in Finland, Germany and Ireland.
Committed to audience engagement, CREATION comes to life through deeply participatory public programming devised in consultation with presenting partners. We have built open-call choirs in Sydney, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour, to devise heart-soaring public performances with costumed processions and elaborate ceremony. In Horsham and nearby towns collage workshops yielded a collection of collaborative collage pieces that now form the exhibition’s ceremonial four-meter table covering.
CREATION is a queer, science fiction climate change religion for our times. With elaborate costumes, dance moves, a major animation, karaoke videos, woven tapestries, a suite of ceramic pieces, handmade haberdashery banners, a suite of songs and a scrolling Liturgy.
CREATION is available to tour and perform from April 2026
Presentation partners to date, chronological:
Vitalstatistix SA
Museum of Contemporary Art NSW
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery VIC
Sydney Opera House NSW
WorldPride 2023 NSW
Halle14, Leipzig Germany
Beleura House VIC
Griffith University Art Museum QLD
New Annual Festival NSW
Horsham Regional Gallery VIC
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery NSW
24th Biennale of Sydney + Inner West Council NSW
The Dock, Leitrim Ireland
Art Gallery of NSW NSW
Yarrila Arts and Museum NSW
Exhibition Video
About the Artists
Instigating artist: Deborah Kelly S.J Norman: writer of the Liturgy Angela Goh: movement director Lex Lindsay: music director James King: Costumier Melody Pei Li: animator Alia Ardon: filmmaker Poets: Brian Fuata, Ellen Van Neerven, Heather Grace Jones, Evelyn Araluen, Jinghua Qian & Peter Swain
About the Curators
Original curator: Rachel Kent
Supporting Materials
Catalogue / BookInstallation Support AvailableInvitations or Invitation TemplatePublic Program OpportunitiesPublic Workshops
Other Materials
CREATION includes a set of large scale full colour Holy Cards which can be sold through gallery shops.
With the Griffith University Art Museum, CREATION is publishing a comprehensive full colour book which will also accompany the exhibition.
CREATION has been supported by The Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW, City of Sydney, Arts House Melbourne, Vital Statistix, Destination NSW
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