Bernhard Sachs: After History




Exhibition Date

15 February > 18 May 2025

Exhibition RESOURCES

+ WALL TEXTS

+ Exhibiting Artists Q&A

Wheelchair Accessible

 Visual Rating 100%

VISIT

+ GETTING HERE

+ ACCESS


Bernhard Sachs (1954-2022) was a Melbourne artist and academic, whose expansive practice encompassed drawing, collage, painting, photography, performance and sculpture. Sachs, whose German father migrated to South Australia after World War II, was deeply informed by European art, culture, and philosophy, interweaving it with autobiography to produce a singular oeuvre, which interrogated history to understand its role in shaping the present. 

Bernhard Sachs: After History focuses on works drawn from the late artist’s studio. Rather than a traditional retrospective, the exhibition seeks to highlight Sachs’ unique process of returning to and reworking existing works, sometimes over a period of years. In addition, a parallel display of works by artists whom Sachs educated and mentored will acknowledge his formative influence on several generations of Melbourne visual artists.

A longtime resident of St Kilda, Sachs exhibited at Linden New Art on numerous occasions, as well as serving on the organisation’s board. After History marks the first major exhibition of Sachs’ work since his passing and is a timely opportunity to consider his significant contribution to Australian art and arts education.

Contributing artists to the exhibition include: 
Greg Ades, Su Baker, Damiano Bertoli, Drasko Boljevic, Barbara Bolt, Godwin Bradbeer, Sandra Bridie, Christian Capurro, Jon Cattapan (with Ben McKeown), Peter Daverington, Julie Davies, Matthew Davis, Janenne Eaton, Chantal Faust, Elizabeth Gower, Stephen Haley, Irene Hanenbergh, Ry Haskings, Raafat Ishak, Kate Just, Sean Loughrey, Sally Mannall, Nicholas Mangan, Victor Meertens, Tom Nicholson, Alex Rizkalla, Bill Sampson, Rohan Schwartz, Ben Sibley, Krishnamurti Suparka, Masato Takasaka, KBT (Kieran Boland | Brie Trenerry) and Ronnie van Hout.

The performance 'Oratorio Faust'

The polish game dinner

Symposium




Exhibition-long activity

15 February > 18 May 2025


If We Never Finish

Bernhard Sachs’ artworks weren’t made all at once—they evolved over time. Layers were built up, with dates added and overlapped to reveal a process of change and growth.

As part of this exhibition-long activity, visitors are invited to contribute to a collective artwork. Using stamps, shapes, and designs, you’ll leave your mark, adding to an installation that keeps evolving.

Like Sachs, we’ll create something that’s never truly finished—an artwork that grows and changes as more hands take part. Visit the gallery to join in and be part of the story.




IMAGES > Bernhard Sachs: After History, installation views, 2025, Linden New Art. Photographs: Simon Strong.