Artists:

Derek Aylward, Mairikke Dau, Rafael Delacruz, Gerasimos Floratos, Sybil Gibson, Ralph Griffin, Bessie Harvey, Wayne Heller (MoonSign), Susan Te Kahurangi King, Alice Mackler, Eddie Martinez, Ike Morgan, Robert Nava, Helen Rae, Maja Ruznic, Jon Serl, Mose Tolliver and Timothy Wehrle

"Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.” – William Shakespeare

Whether we subscribe to its existence or not, luck surrounds us at all times. We are wished ‘good luck’ by our parents on the first day of school, we indulge in rituals aimed at conjuring favorable outcomes such as crossing our fingers, knocking on wood and breaking wish bones. There are innumerable objects believed to help this magic find us– rabbit’s feet, a penny lying heads up, horseshoes, four leaf clovers. These symbols and actions are thought to bolster our chances of basking in the aura of good luck, and while it is completely subjective whether or not we believe in it as a phenomenon, it is safe to say that most of us move though life with the hope of not tempting fate.

We all can admit that life is not fair. Many individuals dedicate their entire lives to fulfilling dreams and lifelong ambitions with little or no success, while others seem to flourish and fall into good fortune wherever they go. There will always be someone winning the lottery, sometimes for the second or third time, and alternately, some people will confusingly endure constant disaster and hardship. Some write off luck as the result of hard work and perseverance, but it is never that simple. Why does good luck happen for some and misfortune fall on others? Is it a state of mind? Is serendipity real?

Every time artists begin a new creation they are flirting with luck. For most, this is an unconscious dance, and there is no way of knowing when luck will hit or align with our pursuits. Good Luck explores artworks created by both self-taught and trained contemporary artists that encourage viewers to seek out alternative meanings, narratives and explanations for the unexplored sentiments in which luck is used, felt or noticed in art. While these artists did not create with the exhibition’s theme in mind, their works help expand our context of luck, both good or bad.