Sharon Dawes
My work is, first and foremost, an exploration in paint and the use of an appropriate painterly language; one applicable to the painted subject and capable of imbuing it with certain characteristics beyond its superficial imagery.
Animals have been used to facilitate this exploration because of their interesting array of superficial (external) coverings, such as fur, skin, feathers; textures that are an integral part of an animal's form and character. I have chosen to paint animals that have been introduced to Australia1, post 1788, because of my own personal history, an interest in journeys into the unknown/early explorations and the role animals have played as 'place makers' in the settling of Australia (European Settlement). I have also painted animals to elevate the animal in modern times and to highlight the animal's plight in what, I believe, is oft a neglected chapter in Australia's history2.
Non-traditional backgrounds escape the trappings of predictable landscapes, elements that would detract from the aims of my exhibition 'Colonial Animal'. In its place text from nursery rhymes/fairytales (which are animal specific) or wall paper from the 1700s have been used. This text appears as white on white/black on black cursive and covers the canvas whilst lying beneath each animal3. These backgrounds also serve, with the oddly placed animals, to unify the project.
I also intend to introduce elements of whimsy, quirk and beauty into my work but request that any audience go beyond these 'superficial' elements to investigate the applied paint. I also acknowledge there are many other readings that can be applied4 to 'Colonial Animal' and whilst I have thought about many of them they are not the primary focus of this body of work.
1Please note: The use of domesticated animals does not negate the need for contemporary paintings of Australian animals, nor the use of them in future projects.
2Environmental and political issues aside.
3Ideas that relate to an underlying interest in anthropomorphism.
4Such as the role of domesticated animals, the role of animals in contemporary art practice, anthropomorphism, the environmental damage caused by introduced species, the transportation of animals (imports and exports), the use of text in work, meanings of fairytales and nursery rhymes, urban mythology and a whole host of other things.
Sharon Dawes June 2008
