my work - chopping it up

So after an feeling I had to go big and paint on the wall, I came to a place where I then needed to chop and cut the hessian into pieces to continue to the work. I have started stitching and feel compelled to take the work to another form. Like a strange coincidence the British Museum is having Australian Season so I will be able to go and visit Australian plants, Indigenous Baskets, listen to lectures all while contemplating what it means to have our story and be Australian.

my work - exploring the kangaroo

First painting in the longest time, just enjoying the process and the call of the kangaroo as I wrestle with being Australian and what that means.

Susan Hiller exhibition aand thoughts on my practice

Susan Hiller is just brilliant!! I had the best time seeing her exhibition at the Tate Britain with a friend from college. The exhibition was interesting and I really enjoyed the different mediums and her approach to the work. I am trying to convince the boy to visit so he can experience the show especially 'An Entertainment' which I think he will appreciate.

The work is so intelligent and thoughtful and it seems like devoid of the artist touch but in fact highly personal and at the same time scientific in style. I have been perplexed in a way about what this means for me and the way I make my art and questioning if my art is self indulgent. But then all art could be seen as self indulgent.

My challenge is I only truly know how to start from my self and work outwards I don't know what is truth and and what is fiction except about what I know about myself and how that impacts the world I know.

my work - do I have blood on my hands?

In a place far from Australian shores, maybe close to where the trouble started, I ask "Do I have blood on my hands?". I live in a world of commuters. My own focus was the mass of humanity on the underground. My art process transformed with the death of my Dad in August 2010 and now I hear the call of the kangaroo around my wrist. Recently I have been binding clothes into vessels inspired by Indigenous basket weaving but what do I really know of my history. Do I sit here in London on the sacrifice of the first Australians.

images: the start of a work on hessian, exploring my responsibility

important decisions

check out my friend Brett's great introduction on his blog to High Macleod of Gaping Void. I love Hugh and he oftens inspires me with his daily cartoon, and the cartoon above basically pinpoints my dilemma and where I need to be heading.

my work - finishing vessel 1

This vessel has been close to completion for almost a month and today I did the last stitch, not clear if I love or loathe yet, but completed.

is it a home for my memories
a nest for my stories
is it a holder of my dreams
a place to lay my ashes
a version of me

or simply
a sloppy joe
a scarf
a t-shirt
a pair of leggings

taking the light where you can

A moment on the platform, my day job has overtaken life right now so I grab the lovely moments when I can.