I have to write another Artist’s statement for a catalogue that some graphic design students are doing as a project. So my lovelies I am going to write it here and I would like your feedback. This particular artist’s statement is going to be in a catalogue with some photos of my shells which are part of the Boganvillainy installation.
I am a ceramic artist, writer, photographer and dreamer. I live in rural Tasmania, my home is surrounded by tall eucalypts and fragrant silver wattles. Wallabies eat my grass and possums raid my garden. Wedge tailed eagles soar overhead and Tasmanian devils squabble in the gullies of a night time.
As I stand outside enjoying the autumn sunlight I hear distant voices which are quickly followed by the harsh roar of a chainsaw. The crashing fall of an ancient tree destroys the silence.
This is Tasmania and I am Tasmanian.
I watch as ancient forests are destroyed and turned into woodchips. I watch as the people that protest this destruction are vilified and their reputations attacked. I watch as the young people that venture into the forests to protest against this destruction are attacked and despised
I watch and I despair.
In order to control that despair, I make. I pour that emotional energy into the clay and see where my anguish leads me.
I am a ceramic artist and when my hands are filled with clay, I am able for a short time to forget my despair and shame, that I am a silent witness to the destruction of Tasmania’s spiritual heart.
The thought of ancient forests being turned into woodchips chills me to the core of my being. What madness is this, that we have become so anaesthetised in our lives that we squander so lightly our grandchildren’s legacy?
In this beautiful island state of Tasmania so many gifts of nature are taken for granted. Native animals lie dead on the side of the road, victims of our haste. Ancient forests are turned into paper, waterways are poisoned, beauty is destroyed. All victims of our greed.
If I allow myself to think too deeply about our poisoned waterways and smoking forests, I will be paralyzed with grief. As my tears mix with the clay and the forms come to life before me, the despair loosens its grip on my soul and I allow myself to hope
The shells that are featured here were made in direct response to the proposed Gunns pulp mill. The shells are slip cast stoneware. Three shells are featured here, one pristine, one altered and one destroyed. We are attracted to beauty and once we hold that beauty in our hands we need to change that beauty to fit our own needs and ultimately we destroy that which first attracted us.
So that is what I have sent off.
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Very well written. That was touching and inspiring, as is you art.
Thank-you.
I think that sums it up nicely, what more could you say.
That’s very powerful Kim.
Perfecto! And Happy Mother’s Day girlie!
Oh I like it a lot. I have to write one of those myself for the show. Just wonderful!
cheers!
Excellent article Kim. I hope it makes people stop and think, especially about how we, (humans) destroy what we touch. Not all of us of course.
Beautifully written. There’s nothing more you could have said.
Fabulous Kim.
I love your emotion in your work. This describes it beautifully. Very well written too.
Very well written, very personal, very insightful.
Well said. Especially I like “All victims of our greed”. I wish God can hear your words
Beautiful and meaningful. I like it.
Had to read it twice. Stunning. Maybe you will be successful and it will truly call more attention to the issue…
Perfect and meaningful.
Very emotive.
Everyone else has said all that I would have said.
Kim, I’m going to play devils advocate and be my English teacher self.
I am a ceramic artist, writer, photographer and dreamer living in rural Tasmania, where I am surrounded by tall eucalypts….
It avoids short stodgy sentences and repetition.
Apart from that it was brilliant. I know I am a b******d, but I am a nice b******d.
AV
Great, Kim. Well done–passionate and clear.