August 16, 2016

Art and creativity on show in student-curated exhibition

When four young enthusiastic UOW creative art students wanted more people to see and enjoy their works of art, there was only one solution. Curate your own art show.

DAMN. I WISH I'D THOUGHT OF THAT, is a dynamic exhibition featuring a rich array of artworks from the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) creative and visual arts studios, including, painting, photography, sculpture and textiles.

Co-curated by UOW textile students, Isabella Levis, Kate Makin, Greer Harris and Jessica Stranbridge, the exhibition brings together works by final year visual arts and design students.

“I guess you only really see a selection of art students’ final work during marking day, then they go back into a cupboard. So here was an opportunity to see a great selection of works in one room,” Greer said.

This is the first time a group students have been involved in running the Student Initiated Project, which has been running since 2008. Previously, one student, rather than a team, has curated the exhibition.

The role of an art curator is different from the role of artist. Traditionally, a curator was known as the interpreter of the art on display. Nowadays, a curator is expected to communicate other skills effectively, such as planning the exhibition, promote the show, and write press releases as well as be an art critic and an educator.

The show is an intoxicating blend of art, creativity and bewilderment.

DAMN. I WISH I’D THOUGHT OF THAT highlights art that explores the relationship between the body, autobiography and memory, using diverse imagery and forms.

One of the more bizarre objects in the show is from the underrated sculptor/instillation artist Bernadette Banasik.

One of her works, The Sticky Situation, consists of a range of so-called, desirable objects, such as birds, guns, beauty products and dildos, made from that delicious sugar treat, toffee. Like some Willy Wonka candy invention gone mad the art pieces revolve around the transition between solid objects and a viscous pile of goo.

The piece Something’ Got To Give, a combination of nail varnish, crocheted wool and copper wire is the result of months of hard work by Isabella Levis.

Many people who take up crocheting do so for the process, the smooth rhythm of loop after loop, knot after knot. For Isabella the ritual became a kind of madness.

“Crochet allows me to make something out of nothing in a fairly simple way - one stitch at a time. I like the process of turning a material into an object you’d never imagine,” Isabella said. “These pieces represent the transition of a young woman in society and where she is going next.”

There's a long history of women using crafts such as sewing, embroidery and crochet to express their love of art. One of the best things about this exhibition are the works are tactile. The viewer can’t resist the urge to touch them.

Kate Makin makes the viewer think in Tossed, an eclectic array of plastic bags hanging from the ceiling.

“My art expresses obvious environmental messages, but I’m particularly interested in the different textures available to me whilst working with this medium,” Kate said.

For Kate, art is a talking point, not a way to make money. Her works of art are specifically made to engage with the viewer and get them talking about issues in the world today.

“I imagine these plastic bags, that have a lifespan of many years, are in fact on the verge of extinction,” Kate said. “I think it’s only a matter of time before people stop using them and they become a thing of the past.”