Karen Casey: Let’s Shake

Inspired by the notion of the space held within a handshake, [Let’s Shake] captures the united intention, communication and connection between two people.

Karen Casey, 2020

Koorie Heritage Trust is proud to present Let’s Shake by internationally recognised artist and Palawa woman Karen Casey (1956–2021).

Presented for the first time at KHT, this installation of over 200 plaster casts is the tangible outcome of an ongoing series of public participatory events under the title Let’s Shake, led by Casey between 2006 – 2011. Casey described these gatherings as public art connection and communication events, during which participants of different cultural backgrounds and ages came together in a shared experience, holding wet plaster between their hands and making conversation until set and could be removed as a solid form, forever carrying the unique marks of the two individuals and the energy of their encounter.

Let’s Shake has been exhibited as a number of unique installations, including under the name Contact/Converse at the National Gallery of Victoria, Narrm (2008); Oaxaca, Mexico (2011); Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, Aotearoa (2011); in the group exhibition All of Us, Blindside, Narrm (2018); and in the Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Victoria (2022).

We also acknowledge the very generous gift of this artwork to the KHT’s important collection of South-East Australian art and cultural belongings by Casey’s son Daniel Young, in memory of his mother.

Exhibition Catalogue

Download the exhibition catalogue