In VIS3020 I chose Ceramics as my studio practice area. My theme for this semester is ‘multiples’ and represents storytelling. I have created tiles representing 45 people across 9 generations of my family, with the largest 15.5cm x 13.5cm tiles being either the ‘Prisoners’ (convicts) or the ‘Preachers’ I have found while researching my ancestry. To make the tree visually balanced, I have included the wives, or children, in smaller tiles (6x6cm). A marquette was also created with much smaller (2.5×3.5cm) tiles to help with the final placing of each person in the correct place of the installed tree.
To complete the storytelling of the installation, I have included some books of family history, and some articles that have been passed down to me from family members.
Resolved Work “Prisoners and Preachers”
VIS3010 CERAMICS
In continuing from VIS3020 (2023), I have created four works of story telling, introducing ancestors who have survived horrible situations: Eliza survived being lost in rugged bushland in the 1880’s, losing her six month old daughter in the process; Vera defied her parents and returned home with her iligitimate son in 1905; Jack survived being buried alive at Calais in 1918, only to return home with severe PTSD that affected his marriage; and my own story of fighting back against my abuser as a 12 year old.
My second body of work is entitle “Impacts” and is a series of vases and bowls that represent my life and the people who have made an impact on it. Some have only left memories, some have left a mark, and some have broken me. However, I am stronger that before, and like my great grandmother I defy those who try to hold me down.
