The Ominous Domestic
eX de Medici 2017-18
Gilded wood, printed and embroidered Duchess silk, mixed media
eX de Medici (fabric design, project manager)
Janni Liangis (gift of original sofa)
Robert Little/RLDI (photogaphy and digitisation)
Sharon Peoples (embroidery)
Azzopardi and Hancock Upholsterers (restoration and upholstery)
Lisa Fletcher floral arrangement)
Sharon Peoples machine embroidered eX de Medici’s Seat of Love and Hate
she wrote about the process on her blog last year
the spiky Euphorbia was the starting point for this massive undertaking
Sharon honoured eX de Medici’s meticulous attention to detail
the eerie view through glass in an adjacent bathroom
in the next room
Karla Dickens Bound 2015
Polyptych in six parts
Bound by Money
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, vintage printed cotton material, printed canvas money-bag, coat hanger
Bound by Marriage
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, vintage printed cotton material, homemade wire dog muzzles, waxed linen thread, coat hanger
Bound by Land
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, cow teeth, vintage printed cotton material, coat hanger
Bound by Children
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, artificial flowers, embroidery, artificial lace, coat hanger
Bound by Beauty Myths
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, plastic combs, human hair, waxed linen thread, coat hanger
Bound by Addiction
Canvas straightjacket with brass buckles, plastic monkeys, printed cotton, coat hanger
“BOUND” by Karla Dickens
You asked for it
in front of God
for better or worse
in sickness and in health
‘till death do you part
hand-cuffs lock vows
obey
Not in front of the kids
reassure the unborn baby
pegging tiny singlets on the line
hands tied behind her back
dying desperate housewives
crippled by fear
pregnant
Home sweet home
black and blue poorhouses
with a high security guard
a decorated cell
common place anchors
dreams of great escapes
hung high by a worn heart-string
You’re lucky you’ve got me
ugly whinging bitch
wrapped in tight cruelness
a social dress malfunction
out of date and damaged
drowning in shame
be grateful
You need me
mummy’s little helper visits daily
waiting on a chemical disaster
too lost to care
too numb to fight back
knots of effective confusion
disgraceful embarrassment
Impossible departure
in ropes with closed wallets
depending on a pittance
worthless money-makers
cutting off circulation
restraining the sunshine
imposing quiet punishment
Bondage isn’t sexy
if an everyday tool
cover up the swelling
buckled up for pain
blood-stained devotion
promises of change
sorrys no more
Run
The Ideal Home at Penrith Regional Gallery
closed last weekend
Carolyn Skinner of Oz Arts Magazine wrote a brilliant review
I am still digesting my response to this hard hitting inspiring exhibition as the dream flies out into the world
the studio space is cleared to begin the next project Sayonara Sydney scheduled for 2021 when I turn 66 and will move out of this big mad city west to the Blue Mountains
Dream On!
PS Deirdre Bean’s fabulous Fish and other things closes this afternoon at Stella Downer Fine Art
Sardines and a spoon Deirdre Bean
watercolour on vellum
22 x 28 cm
&
soul painter Jane Stapleford’s magicial Menagerie closes tomorrow at Day Fine Art in Blackheath
The Merchant’s Hare Jane Stapleford 2019
watercolour on paper
37 x 27 cm
Collector’s Choice 2020 at Artsite Galleries opens this weekend!
Too dark? Mo 20
Holding the dark Mo 20
The chicken and the egg revisited Mo 20
