The artist explores this history of pedagogical play in her work, employing it as a frame for investigations into design, typography, protest, public art and the legacy of Modernism. She presents her graphically arresting art works as linguistic toys, showing how contemporary art itself might function like a set of educational building blocks for understanding culture at large.
The meticulously crafted small sculpture Abstract Solar 2014 continues this long term artistic enquiry, wooden blocks are carefully stacked to form an architectural assemblage or propositional learning device. Handmade letters formed of rare woods Huon Pine and Wenge wrap around the work spelling out the sculpture's cryptic title, Abstract Solar, an open-ended invitation to consider the energy of the sun and contingent material potential.
Courtesy of Anna Schwartz Gallery
Emily Floyd is a Melbourne based artist and has been exhibitioning her works in Australia and overseas.
synthetic polymer paint and lacquer on wood (Huon Pine and Wenge) and fibreboard
35 x 26 x 25 cm
Finalist
Judges of the 2014 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize: Lisa Havilah (Director of Carriageworks), Justin Miller (International Art Advisor and former Chairman of Sotheby's Australia) and Gretel Packer (Arts Patron and Trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW).
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