VISUAL ARTS
30.2
Oh! How I love Australian beach culture. Our country prides itself on its pristine waters, but when looking under the surface, I find the irony laughable. Seeing the contrast between the romanticisation of our oceans and aquatic ecosystems and the immense destruction, I see the truth beneath our waters. I have found the portrayal of our oceans to be incredibly freeing through free-form crochet as I am not constrained by the normal barriers of textile work. I was able to manipulate the piece as I worked, reflecting the way the natural world is formed. My artwork is deceiving. At first glance, people comment about the beautiful crochet work and vibrant colours. It is then they start to notice what they are really looking at - coral bleaching and plastic pollution. I have created my work in the company of women who weep for this planet but who come together to support each other and make real change.
