Skin is a purveyor of identity - it acts as a coating that gives a life form particular characteristics, type, uniqueness and description. Iconic flora and fauna also carry implications of national identity and pride. The floral emblem of the NSW State has been replicated in cane toad skin, referring on one level to the colonisation of our native species by introduced species. The work also refers to the movement of living things around the planet. We could consider our own colonisation of Australia as not unlike the cane toad invasion.
Courtesy of Liz Buckman, Byron Fine Art
cane toad skin (professionally cured), sculpture wire, engraved metal plaque
30 x 30 x 40 cm
Finalist
Judges of the 2006 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize: Anthony Bond (Director Curatorial and Head Curator International at Art Gallery of NSW), Felicity Fenner (Curator at Ivan Doherty Gallery, NSW College of Fine Arts) and Professor Anne Graham (Chair of Fine Art at School of Fine Art, Drama and Music, University of Newcastle).
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