"Material Pleasure" Exhibition
Five emerging female artists joined forces to present an art exhibition titled Material Pleasure at Heathcote Museum and Gallery, Perth, Western Australia from 29 February to 6 April 2008.
After recently completed their studies in Visual Art, the graduates Melissa Carey , Gemma Dodd, Natalie Williamson, Mandy Harwood and Katie Martin displayed new works that take a playful and interesting look at the theme of materiality in art.
Curator Soula Veyradier said each artist approached the theme from a different perspective and used a different medium. “The result is an extremely varied and imaginative exhibition based on each artist’s notion of materiality,” she said.
Melissa Carey used photography, drawing and print on gauzy fabric and paper to express a yearning for the inner child and for higher spiritual ideas.
Mandy Harwood’s works included an oversized chandelier made entirely from black felt. Usually a symbol for wealth and refinement, this chandelier challenges opulence by taking away the light and sparkle and using a traditionally nurturing and humble material.
Dodd drew her inspiration from under the bed and carpet, using microscopic images of dust to create works that muse over the idea of materialism, the fantasy home, woman, and lifestyle, while Natalie Williamson created a range of extremely lush floral textile pieces using fake flowers and plants.
Katie Martin reflected upon the transition between rural and urban Australia, using different materials that she then prints and paints over with landscapes and imagery from her experiences.