Studiolada

Thank you to models Jin and Afi - Temu House - Petaling Jaya Malaysia, 2024

’Self Portrait in Analogue a̶n̶d̶ ̶D̶i̶g̶i̶t̶a̶l̶ Confusion’ playfully delves into the nuanced interplay of implied consent; insinuated acquiescence, submission to subtle coercion and the elusive shadow of shame that artists frequently navigate within the realm of professional practice amidst the cultural economy and pressured discomfort of the creative sector.

The Biblio invites artists to respond to a book by an Australian author randomly selected by the Blarney Books & Art team. I was allocated Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara

Tilda is Visible may seem like a lighthearted read, however beneath its surface is a subtle darkness that resonated deeply with me, mirroring my own struggle with the ‘second coming-of-age’ …the transition into midlife, it captured my personal feeling of being unseen and being unknown then ultimately finding comfort embracing my quirks while taking up space in the world as a middle aged woman.

I purchased the book in Nipaluna Hobart then travelled to Kuala Lumpur. My initial concept was thwarted when I ordered some very specific paints from a very temperamental English paint-maker, the paint never arrived… totally ghosted!

I then hired a ceramics studio in Indonesia for the second iteration, sadly tragedy struck and I rushed to Naarm Melbourne.

In a dodgy Melbourne hotel room, I sculpted plaster bandages onto a polystyrene form.

My next trip was The Lock-Up Art Centre in Awabakal Newcastle where I sealed the plaster, then up to Lighthouse Arts Newcastle for delicate gilding in extreme conditions; a very loose homage to Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing with gold.

Ta-Da! Look again, there she is! Cheap plaster and gold: an “unspirational” [sic] process, messy yet precious… much like recovering your visibility.

Remind me to tell you about the complexities of gilding in a lighthouse! I knew I would have to fight with the breeze but I had no idea that the gentle dance with static electricity, the gilders best friend, would go missing in action… not unlike a certain English paint-maker.

For when you just don’t have a smile in you anymore.

Also useful for the ladies in the post-apocalypse. When some random dude on the street asks you to smile, put this on. Just creepy enough to make them feel as uncomfortable as they made you feel.

The only surviving sign, the wonkiest one… and my favourite.

In December 2019, the Australian government announced that The Arts would be absorbed into the newly formed Department of Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Development.

“Scott Morrison has announced the arts department will be rolled into a department that will also oversee roads and rail.”

Nick Baker, SBS

In Feb 2020, The Arts were made invisible in Australia.

Read more from the NAVA: here

This piece was created for:

The Gift
Curated by Michael Dagostino

The Gift moved away from traditional exhibition models of artist, curator and theme and into gestures of exchange, gifting and dialogue. Sixteen artists at the Parramatta Artists Studios were commissioned to create an artwork for a fellow studio artist allowing generous, revealing and collective acts to take place. The exhibition was held at the PAS Gallery, Nov-Dec 2010. This artwork was created for Chrissie Ianssen

The Bare Essentials
Socks and jocks for the whole family

I grew up in a family where there were only ever two small packages under the tree on Christmas Eve; one for my brother and the other for myself with a card from Mum, Dad and Santa. Usually these gifts were the essentials like next years school uniform or brown leather sandals for the hot summer ahead. The meagre gifts were always treasured and I remember ripping the packages open with such delight after midnight as was the tradition in my family. 

It is said that happiness and contentment can come after one has the essentials of enough food, clothing, shelter and safety. May you and your precious family have happiness and the causes of happiness... plus, you can never have enough hand knitted undies.