Variations captures the essence of diversity in art, highlighting the rich and varied lived experiences of artists, including those with neurodiversity, mental health challenges, and backgrounds shaped by incarceration, migration, and faith. This book seeks to transform our understanding of contemporary visual art by centring the voices of these artists, whose stories are integral to how their work is presented and discussed.

The lavishly illustrated volume features profiles co-produced with artists and writers, many of whom share their own narratives. Each profile includes short texts—often penned by the artists themselves—accompanied by high-quality reproductions, making the content accessible to a wide audience. Interspersed throughout are longer, collaborative essays and interviews that delve into themes of structural and social marginalisation, while highlighting the significance of collectives and supportive arts organisations.

To truly grasp art-making in Australia, it is crucial to engage with the voices of those navigating complex social diversity. This beautifully produced book offers a fresh perspective on contemporary Australian art.

Featured artists include Melbourne-based Lisa Reid, known for her humorous graphic style and connection to Arts Project Australia; Safdar Ahmed, a Sydney artist and musician who amplifies the voices of incarcerated individuals through the Refugee Art Project; Colombian-born Javier Lara-Gomez, who creates architectural models from salvaged materials, inspired by his dreams of family during incarceration; Geelong-born Wart, whose expressionistic works explore diverse mental health and institutionalisation; Helen Sheferaw, an Ethiopian immigrant whose printmaking documents the refugee experience and celebrates her cultural heritage; and Frances Castles, a Kamilaroi artist who weaves local grasses and educates Indigenous youth about their culture while connecting ex-offenders to their artistic roots.