Sway reaches back into Queensland’s coal mining history. This work resulted from a RADF supported project that engaged with retired coal miners and sought to develop ways to use coal as an art material.
In this work, I reflect on experiences of retired miners who felt that their work contributed to the state’s growing domestic needs and prosperity. The work also has relevance in relation to proposed mining of the Galilee coal basin questioning the degrees of give and take in such ventures.
Sway is part of a larger project, Carbon Copy, where these and other carved coal letter blocks can be used to print other words in different coal dust forms to allude to other coal or related social issues. In this over-arching title, Copy, references the use of this word in print journalism.
SWAY is on display at Level 2 of The Judith Wright Centre from 4 October – 31 October, 2017
Since graduating from QUT in 1999 and completing a Masters Research Degree in 2013, I have developed a variety of artworks that pursue themes related to contemporary masculinity, male-related sport and work and issues of place.
Consideration for the metaphoric potential within chosen art materials has caused me to create works in cast asphalt, sanded footballs, kitchen chairs, rope found on roads and a variety of ways in which coal may be used as an art material.
I work full time as an artist and have created temporary public artwork that has been presented in locations such as Townsville, Mildura, Canberra and Brisbane.
I have received a number of RADF grants to undertake specific projects. In 2009, a RADF grant enabled me to explore different ways to use coal as an art material. I continue to use coal in my artwork, regularly expanding techniques.