Drawing on human behaviour, combined with multiples of discarded materials, this artwork continues my exploration into emotional responses and expectations through the repetitive peaks and troughs faced in everyday life.
The making of this artwork posed numerous unpredictable challenges. I created this artwork in rows, drilling a few cards at a time and threading them onto bent rod. As I started a new row, the previous row wanted each additional row to conform and straighten under pressure. I didn't want this; it became a battle. I also had to overcome the annoyance of rogue cards that have slightly different hole positions, which create imperfections and therefore wouldn't conform to the rest of the row.
Eventually during this silent negotiation between artist and material, we compromised, as I went with the flow and imperfections, and then allowed them their own way. Not to the detriment of the artwork, but to mutual benefit.
discarded library cards, stainless steel brass
10 x 50 x 45 cm
Finalist
Alison McDonald, in conversation with Professor Ian Howard, discusses her work Silent iterations of change. Recorded on 12 October 2019 at the 2019 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize exhibition, Woollahra Council.
Judges of the 2019 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize: Professor Ross Harley (Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design and UNSW Chair of Arts and Culture), Louise Herron AM (Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Opera House) and Tim Ross (Design and Architecture advocate, Broadcaster, Author and Comedian).
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