If you’ve ever felt lonely, this show is for you

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) recently launched *Are you lonely tonight? I’m so lonesome I could cry*, a thought-provoking exhibition that explores the complex emotions of loneliness in the digital era. Curated by Myles Russell-Cook and Sophie Prince, the show brings together 11 artists from around the globe to examine how modern technology, isolation, and human connection shape our sense of self. The exhibition, part of a broader initiative to explore art and emotion, aims to provoke reflection on the paradoxes of being constantly connected yet increasingly disconnected.

The exhibition opens with a striking visual metaphor: a single goldfish in a small tank, symbolizing both fragility and solitude. This piece leads visitors into Kelly Yu’s short film *Endling* (2024), a speculative mockumentary that imagines the care of the world’s last goldfish. Drawing on real-world concerns about species extinction, the work underscores the tension between human activity and environmental loss. As visitors move deeper into the exhibit, they encounter Patrick Pound’s *The Museum of Loneliness* (2026), a sprawling installation featuring found objects and artifacts that evoke themes of memory, displacement, and emotional resonance. Among these items is an orangutan plushie from IKEA, inspired by the story of Punch, a Japanese macaque who formed a bond with the toy after being rejected by his fellow monkeys.

The exhibition also highlights the role of ephemera in shaping contemporary identity. LA-based weaver Kayla Mattes contributes *Lonely Planet*, a seven-meter tapestry that stitches together fragments of internet culture—memes, error messages, notifications, and search results—into a cohesive narrative. The work reflects the transient nature of digital interactions while emphasizing their lasting impact on personal and collective memory. Similarly, Seth Brown’s *Frank* (2024) uses humor and absurdity to critique the compulsive scrolling behavior that defines modern life. The piece features a hot dog attached to a mustard bottle that repeatedly slaps against a phone screen, generating an endless stream of AI-generated bread images. While grotesque, the work captures a deep yearning for connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

Other contributors delve into more introspective and historical narratives. Melissa Nguyen’s paintings, created using rabbit skin glue on canvas, merge personal and collective histories, reflecting on the legacy of her mother’s life before her birth. Ghanian artist Gideon Appah explores the distinction between physical solitude and emotional loneliness through video and painted landscapes. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Lucy Liu—a renowned actor and artist known by her Chinese name, Yu Ling—adds a unique dimension to the exhibition. Liu’s paintings, rooted in Japanese Shunga erotica, challenge traditional notions of privacy, intimacy, and visibility. Her work resonates with the exhibition’s central theme, particularly the idea of being "lonely at the top" in a public-facing career.

The curators emphasize that the exhibition does not offer easy answers but instead invites viewers to engage with the ambiguity of loneliness. Sophie Prince notes that the show’s premise is intentionally open-ended, allowing each visitor to interpret the works through their own experiences. The exhibition includes an artist talk on Saturday where Mattes and Pound will discuss their collaborative approach to exploring ephemera in different mediums. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on how technology shapes their understanding of isolation and connection, and whether the capacity for solitude is truly undervalued in today's hyper-connected society.

Looking ahead, the exhibition is expected to spark ongoing conversations about mental health, digital culture, and the evolving definition of community. With its blend of humor, provocation, and emotional depth, *Are you lonely tonight? I’m so lonesome I could cry* stands as a powerful commentary on the complexities of modern existence. As the exhibition runs, it remains a space for contemplation, offering a rare opportunity to confront the quiet ache of loneliness in a world that often prioritizes constant engagement.