A Short Story …
The name of the gallery ,’The Cocoon’, prompted me to ‘open the lid’. For over 25 years I have had two items in an old OXO stock cube tin on which it says ‘KEEP THE LID CLOSED’.
A little seahorse and an ancient cup handle, found in the desert.
After my first baby, Henry, died, I always thought that I would make something with them; a kind of memorial piece. These items were the catalyst for this journey.
I was a passionate photographer but have hung up my Pentax KM SLR since film became old hat. I haven’t had a heart for it since then, however my phone is very full of images which seems to
contradict that. Although I had intentions of using another medium, whilst I was immersed in play (with my phone) I realised that what I was doing was the art that I would show.
I have revisited a photo album and journals from 25 years ago, some of which I will share, most of which needs to stay closed in those books. I found myself making pictures with other things in my
home that relate to that time. This exhibition is a chance to revisit a story of my own, that is unique but shared by many. I have these expectations of myself and the art that I feel that I should be making, but I never do it.
In creating these works I have a new understanding, because I enjoyed myself so much in the process.
I love playing …
I play all the time, I play with things that I find, I play with images and fabrics, I play with composition, I play with nature, I play with words. This is the art that I do. I don’t paint and draw ; I can now let myself off the hook.
I booked this space in 2019 as a hopeful plan that I would still be here after having pancreatic cancer. This exhibition is evidence that I am, by the grace of God, indeed still among you and am living well.
On display from now until 22nd December in the entry to the Margaret River Library. Artworks are for sale through the artist.
