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| Kath Fries, Gosford CBD studio space, 29 June 2012 |
Nature
is stealthily creeping back in to the abandoned consumer domains and derelict
spaces in the Gosford CBD. Quietly,
subtly and subversively weeds and insects are reclaiming space and territory.
Amongst the apparently uninhabited human structures, life forms
continue to grow, incubate and survive. Much that interests me and inspires my
practice involves our
human relationships with nature and aversion to things that are naturally
difficult for us to control. Often these natural occurrences are overlooked; common and everyday, or too
discrete to notice. But when re-examined and re-interpreted in a different
context, they can offer insights and narratives that expand beyond our
superficial assumptions and usual dismissive attitudes.
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| Kath Fries, Gosford CBD studio space, 29 June 2012 |
A
colony of Saunder’s
Case Moths have taken up residence on the outside walls of the deserted Gosford
Town Centre building. These fascinating little creatures and their intricate chrysalises have
promoted me to explore incubation and germination in this series of
site-responsive sculptures and installations.
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| Kath Fries, Sander's Case Moth Chrysalis - found object, 2012 |
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| Kath Fries, Chrysalises, 2012, branches and stockings, dimensions variable |
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| Kath Fries, Chrysalis, 2012, (detail view), branches and stockings |
On
the ground, weeds have similarly been quick to take over and occupy seemingly
insignificant, neglected patches of dirt. Their prolific seeds spread almost
invisibly on the wind and rain, as well as on clothes and shoes - unbeknownst
to their oblivious human traffickers. Although weeds and insects have
relatively short lifespans, their existence leaves a trace and contribution to
nature’s continuous cycles of adjustment and regeneration.
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| Kath Fries, Gosford CBD studio space, 29 June 2012 |
Humans
also leave traces of their movements and a sense of history in the patterns and
remnants of their ordinary everyday activities. The textures of the old shop
floor (which became our ten day studio space) fascinated me with their unspoken
stories of footfalls, construction and revamping. I used charcoal and graphite
to create rubbings (frottage) of concrete swirling patterns revealed beneath
peeling layers of paint.
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| The 2012 Gosford CBD Artists-in-residency studio space |
I would like to thank the three talented, friendly and generous artists Wendy Abel Campbell, Kylie Rose McLean and Janet Meaney, with whom I shared the artists-in-residence project and shop/studio space. Working in a "goldfish bowl" under florescent lights was not only made endurable but also enjoyable because of your company. Thanks also to Sarah Samild and Tim Braham from the Gosford Regional Gallery - your flexibility and enthusiasm for our projects was refreshing and encouraging. Additionally to the Imperial Shopping Centre for the studio space and people of the Gosford local community who visited us and contributed to our projects.
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Alicia McCumstie, It's a shop full of creativity in Gosford,
Express Advocate, 24 June, pg 50 |
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