Beyonce, Adele, Miley and more: Meet the British artist behind the Powerhouse’s hidden gem

The AgeIndependentCenterNov 5

British artist Es Devlin is presenting 'The Turning,' her first solo exhibition in Australia, which serves as the headline international show for the newly opened $1 billion Powerhouse Parramatta museum. The installation features six immersive works, including 'Collective Portrait,' where visitors sit across from strangers for 15 minutes to sketch them, creating a communal tapestry. Devlin is widely recognized for her work in entertainment, having designed stage sets for major artists like Beyoncé, Adele, and Lady Gaga, as well as for events such as the Super Bowl halftime show. The exhibition was secured through direct outreach by museum director Lisa Havilah, bypassing traditional venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art. This project replaces earlier plans for a planetarium and highlights the museum's strategy to attract global audiences with high-profile contemporary art.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses exclusively on artistic concepts, biographical achievements, and logistical details of a museum exhibition, containing no political arguments or partisan framing.

The Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentCenterNov 5

British artist Es Devlin is presenting 'The Turning,' her first solo exhibition in Australia, which serves as the headline international show for the newly opened $1 billion Powerhouse Parramatta museum. Known for designing high-profile concert sets for artists like Beyoncé, Adele, and Lady Gaga, Devlin blends art and stagecraft in this installation featuring six distinct works. Central to the exhibit is 'Collective Portrait,' an interactive piece where visitors sit across from strangers for 15 minutes to sketch them, creating a communal tapestry based on silent observation. The exhibition includes other immersive elements such as a fractured mirror maze and an egg-shaped sound pavilion on the museum's terrace. This project was secured through direct outreach by museum director Lisa Havilah, who bypassed traditional venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art to bring the show to western Sydney. The installation involved significant investment, with $10 million spent on LED screens and fabricated structures according to contract documents.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses exclusively on artistic concepts, exhibition logistics, and biographical details regarding the artist's career, containing no political arguments or partisan framing.

ABC News (Australia)State / PublicCenterNov 1

Sydney’s new Powerhouse Parramatta museum is scheduled to open on November 7, despite ongoing investigations into alleged misconduct by its suspended CEO, Lisa Havilah. Internal documents obtained via freedom of information requests reveal that Havilah filed 14 declarations of perceived conflicts of interest between 2019 and her suspension in August. These disclosures included the hiring of former associates as consultants and a $1.9 million marketing contract awarded to a firm linked to a former trustee. Havilah’s spokesperson stated that these actions were taken out of an abundance of caution and that no actual conflicts or personal gains occurred. While the government continues its inquiry involving the Independent Commission Against Corruption, supporters have launched a petition demanding her immediate reinstatement ahead of the facility’s launch.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view by juxtaposing the government's investigation and ICAC referral with the CEO's denial of wrongdoing and supporting petitions, using neutral language throughout.