ARTIST STATEMENT
Australian colonial history began with the invasion of indigenous land, triggering a disastrous domino effect on aboriginal culture and their environment. The notion of introduced diseases and animals affecting the indigenous population is depicted through the visual metaphor of mould. Their invasive impact is represented in my assemblage through its progressive growth in petri dishes. Colour and texture compel the audience to look closer, questioning the mould’s composition. Australia’s uncomfortable past is reflected through the realistic and repulsive growths, whilst also providing an intriguing perspective on Oxley Creek’s history.
ARTWORK PROCESS
For my body of work, I was influenced by the growth pattern of fungi. Using a sponge base to mimic petri dishes, I sewed numerous materials onto it to create a visual representation of the colours, shapes and textures of mould. The process of my monoprints involved painting watercolour on plastic sheets, utilising water colour techniques to build layers. They were then printed onto watercolour paper with a printing press. To make a connection between the spread of mould and the colonisation of Oxley Creek, a map allowed me to portray the Europeans taking over certain areas and their movement.