Kath Fries Studio: Current work in progress

Kath Fries, Tether, 2012, concept proposal for a site-sensitive installation
in Rookwood Cemetery as part of Hidden 2012 Sculpture Walk

Tether is my current work in progress. It's a site sensitive installation featuring olive trees, nylon fabric, threads, soil and a disused headstone; in Rookwood Cemetery.

Tether reflects on the cycle of life and human interconnections. Standing amongst gravestones, three olive tree saplings are interlinked by a web of vascular red threads. Olive trees are traditionally symbols of memory, love, peace and patience. Here, these olive trees also signify the “Three Fates” of Greco-Roman mythology (the Spinner, Measurer and Cutter), goddesses who controlled the metaphorical thread of life for every human from birth to death. Similarly an ancient Japanese story tells of invisible red threads of fate tied around the little fingers of people destined to meet or assist each other, forming an inseverable connection - the threads can stretch and tangle but never break.

Proposed disused headstone to feature in my Tether installation

HIDDEN 2012: A ROOKWOOD SCULPTURE WALK

1 SEPTEMBER – 14 OCTOBER

OPEN FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET

STARTING AT NORTHERN END HAWTHORNE AVE ROOKWOOD CEMETERY

ENTRY IS FREE

Hidden 2012: A Rookwood Sculpture Walk is an on-site sculpture exhibition revealing artists’ responses to Rookwood, the largest cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere. Rookwood is a place rich in heritage, history and culture, its beauty and splendour distinctive. With a thought provoking subject, Hidden 2012 invites audiences to explore the iconic site whilst admiring the evocative works that feature amongst the graves. The 37 works are inspired by loss, memory, grief, death, mourning, spirituality, memorial and ceremony. This year’s exhibition will also be complemented by an extensive public program including an artist workshop, cemetery tours, curatorial tours and a short film screening targeted at young people and inspired by stories about Rookwood.

ARTISTS: Lee Bethel, Kylie Black, Senden Blackwood, Francois Breuillaud-Limondin & Nathalie Hartog-Gautier, Jeramie Carter, Thomas C. Chung, Will Coles, Irena Conomos, Emily Daughton, Suzanne Davey, Alethea Deane, Julie Donnelly, Michael Donohue, Jacquelene Drinkall, Chloe Elizabeth, Kath Fries, Adam Galea, Stephen Hall, Lyndal Hargrave & Sue Henderson, Aedan Harris, Madeleine Hayes, Serena Horton, Jacqueline King, Kimie Kitamura, Melissa Laird, Jane Lennon, Nerine Martini, David McGuinness, Sarah Nolan, Penny Philpott, Stephen Ralph, Brian Sanstrom, Sally Simpson, Susanna Strati, Jane Theau, Jacek Wankowski.

CURATOR: Cassandra Hard Lawrie

For more information on Hidden 2012 go to www.hidden.rookwoodcemetery.com.au