Hannah Wilke was among the first Artists to incorporate vaginal imagery into her work. During the 1970s, she used her own body to create “performalist self-portraits.” Her work “S.O.S. – Starification Object Series” from 1974 to 1982, critiqued the commodification of women’s bodies. During performances, she collected chewed gum from the audience, shaping it into… Continue reading Hannah Wilke
Category: Handshake8
Carolee Schneemann
Anthony McCall, thirteen photographs of Carolee Schneemann, Interior Scroll, 1975. Stockholm: Moderna Museet. © Carolee Schneemann. Photo: Estate of Carolee Schneemann/Galerie Lelong & Co./Hales Gallery/PPOW Gallery. Challenging the way that women’s Art was systematically reduced and dismissed by the patriarchal structures in the Art world, Carolee Shneeman performed her piece Interior Scroll in 1975 and… Continue reading Carolee Schneemann
Yoko Ono
Judy (Judith Darragh, my handshake mentor), has suggested I take a look at a series of performance Artists who deal with the body and a piece that I find meaningful. I am starting with the incredible Yoko Ono. Ono’s work often questioned the division between art and the everyday. She fought against her… Continue reading Yoko Ono
To wash or not to wash?
It might seem like a weird question to consider but something that I puzzle over is whether or not to clean the materials (at the moment found rubbish objects and things) that I am currently working with. For some people this is probably not a question that they would struggle answering – its seems obvious… Continue reading To wash or not to wash?
Starting Again – Almost
Suddenly it is almost June! I have had three sessions now with my mentor, Manon van Kouswijk. She has been insightful and generous. Suggesting exercises to help loosen up my practice and allow space for the unexpected. After our last meeting, she pointed out that my work is – all over the place. My words,… Continue reading Starting Again – Almost
Balancing Act
Since the beginning of the year I have placed metal aside, for the moment, to explore other materials I have come across in my explorations. On my walks I have been collecting timber, driftwood, stones and shells. I began by focusing on timbers. I have worked with timber before, but sporadically and I am not… Continue reading Balancing Act
A Small But Mighty Tool
Our current group of online workshops with Estela Saez, are geared towards figuring out new ways to show our work via film. As someone who grew up pre-internet and mobile phone, I’m still wowed by how much our phones and laptops can achieve. Recording audio on my phone from you tube…perhaps comes across an an… Continue reading A Small But Mighty Tool
earth meditation
A reflection on earth by John O’Donohue Let us bless The imagination of the earth. That knew early the patience To harness the mind of time, Waited for the seas to warm, Ready to welcome the emergence Of things dreaming and voyaging Among the stillness of land, And how light knew to nurse The growth… Continue reading earth meditation
Rules Required?
As part of the Handshake 8 journey, we have jewellery history lectures from the wonderful Andrea Daly, New Zealand Jeweller and educationalist. As part of a homework task, Daly required us to think about the unwritten rules of contemporary jewellery, consider our own rules that we abide by for our own jewellery practices and then… Continue reading Rules Required?
All aboard the Mentor-ship
Whoever wrote the proverb “never meet your [creative] heroes”, obviously had never met Neke Moa. She is my mentor this year for Handshake8. I will not recite the incredible things that Neke has created, exhibited and taught, but I would redirect, and recommend, you to read Neke’s Handshake Project webpage here. Below are images from… Continue reading All aboard the Mentor-ship