Material Matters is the culmination of Kay S Lawrence’s PhD research into the use of ‘women’s work’ and digital technologies to address global ecological and social issues.
At the heart of the exhibition and the artist’s research is the exploration of ‘women’s work’ – needlework techniques and other textile techniques (m)aligned with females, including embroidery, knitting, crochet and binding and the inherent materiality of these mediums beyond their obvious aesthetic attributes.
The exhibition artworks and installations created from found objects, handmade textiles and digital photography are tactile and engaging. Material Matters reflects on the process, meanings and potential strength contained in textile traditions and processes, being aware of textile tropes and the potential for making meaning through their disruption.
Many of the works in Material Matters evolved from artist residencies at Geidai University, Tokyo; Red Gate Gallery in Beijing; Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Peel Island; Crane Arts, Philadelphia; Sandavinci School of Art and Design in Aimoto, Japan, and Contemporary Yunnan in Kunming, China.
Material Matters is a touring exhibition in partnership between Kay S Lawrence and Museums & Galleries Queensland. It is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, and by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.
RAG, CLEVELAND
SUNDAY 3 JUNE –
SUNDAY 15 JULY 2018
Opening Event:
6.30pm Friday 1 June 2018
Floor Talk and Morning Tea:
10am Sunday 17 June 2018
Image: Kay S Lawrence, Liminal Being 2014, wood, metal, styrofoam, rubber, wire, wool, cotton, acrylic, yarns. 205 x 105 x 105cm. Photography by
Joachim Froese.
CLEVELAND