Plastics

Here is my plastic bag collection.
Photo: Margaret Roberts

1. I love the way plastics can be bundled up, and squashed, then laid out again and re-flattened. They have a memory, physically, and can become impregnated with scents. I notice very few used bags in our affluent society. Occasionally someone on the train will have their trusty favourite that they use regularly, and you can see how the colour has evaporated around the handles, however it is quite rare.
2. I was asked recently why I focused on plastics. Perhaps because I grew up in the USA and was a victim of polyester! For sure because of the environmental impact, but also because they symbolise our affluence, and neglect as well. But growing up in New York city in the 70's and 80's there were various artists who made sculptural works in abandoned lots, using garbage they'd create fantastic art works. I found these very inspirational. I would watch the barges go down the East River laden with millions of bags of rubbish. Even as a child I was incredulous that these got dumped out at sea. Sick! The synthetic nature of petrochemicals and their impact on our everyday life is one that I am examining.
3. Maybe Christo has something to do with it? Or Jeff Wall? Later, in the 90's I saw work by Mikala Dwyer and Hany Armonious. I knew I was amongst friends. Nowadays I can list dozens of artists, just locals who work with the stuff, and I love it. Anne Kay! Josie Cavallaro! Lisa Kelly! Kathy Cavaliere! Simon Yates! Simon Cavanough! Nick Strike! Caz Haswell! Jason Markou! Michelle Hanlin!

In every dream home

Curated by Sophie O'Brien at SCA Gallery 2007

Heavy Duty
Collected plastic bags, photocopy, pencil on paper, shelf by Marley

I first saw the audio processor on Tim Hilton’s computer last year. What a pretty and complex picture it made! He printed it out for me, as I knew what I wanted to do with it right away. I wanted to replicate it as best as I could, so I drew it, photocopied it and coloured it in. It seemed to present me with so many possibilities as a picture, painted or coloured in various ways. Presumably, originally an artist designed the series, and perhaps began with a sketch, then scanned it into the computer, before modeling it using software. The racks of sound mixing equipment convincingly resemble the actual things found in expensive studios, and are available to anyone owning a computer with the desire to make their own sounds. My appropriation of the drawing lends a facile, childish interpretation of what it was originally designed for…misuse of advanced technology.
The plastic bags are a result of fourteen years of collecting from my family, friends and neighbours. Their usage is primarily a billboard to advertise the retailers, and secondly a carrier to take your purchases away with you. What are we supposed to do with these once they’ve served their purpose? En mass their weight is surprising, their colours amazing, and their bulk sizeable. Shouldn’t I just discard them and make more room for myself? I cannot let them go.

Excess

Excess 2007
found fabrics, trestle table, Lisa Andrew's borrowed sewing machine, photocopy

At SNO, curated by Billy Gruner with Margaret Roberts (pictured).

Photo Sue Pedley

Colour world, it appears as though you could just step in the room, whereas in fact, you never got out from behind the continuous curtain, I made holes for seeing through every now and then. It was fun, and felt like a big playroom, or being in a giant dress.

VICTORIA!

VICTORIA!

Ocular Lab, Melbourne


curated by Elvis Richardson

I was thinking about the gold fields that established Melbourne, and researched Queen Vic and her coronation;

"After the Homage was concluded I left the Throne, took off my Crown and received the Sacrament; I then put on my Crown again, and re-ascended the Throne, leaning on Lord Melbourne's arm; at the commencement of the Anthem I descended from the Throne, and went into St Edward's Chapel ...where I took off the Dalmatic robe, Supertunica, and put on the Purple Velvet Kirtle and Mantle, and proceeded again to the Throne, which I ascended leaning on Lord Melbourne's hand ... I then again descended from the Throne, and repaired with all the Peers bearing the Regalia, my Ladies and Trainbearers,to St Edward's Chapel, as it is called; but which, as Lord Melbourne said, was more unlike a Chapel than anything he had ever seen; for, what was called an Altar was covered with sandwiches, bottles of wine etc. The Archbishop came in and ought to have delivered the Orb to me, but I had already got it…The Queen of Hawaii gave me a present of very rare feathers, but very strangely arranged as a wreath about my monogram, also in feathers on a black ground, framed." From Queen Victoria's diaries online

I have seen Queen Vic's clothes and although she was much shorter than I, as she grew older we filled about the same space. Also, when I was in London I visited the Royal Albert Hall, and the monument to her lost and beloved Albert, which amazed me. I spent many hours in the Victoria and Albert Museum and believe it is my spiritual home. For the opening I made real cucumber sandwiches, and shandies.