Nonsensical Sensibilites
Nonsensical Sensibilities delves into the kitsch, cheap and stupid to craft new bodies of mixed media demonstrating material exploration and experimentation. In hypothesis, it brings up an imagined scenario of Friedrich Nietzsche’s ideas being read by comedy actress Jennifer Coolidge in an audiobook.
The references are made out in a complex way, with only the messages in the titles in the works conveying dark intuitive thinking and mismanaged emotions as a source of guidance. Uncertainty and pessimism combined with the pastel colour palette and numerous objects personify all together to be something untrustworthy and troubling. The idiosyncratic self-observation from this collection working in a matter of stupidity by making decisions that are impulsive and without through thinking behind these choices. Critical thinking is contextualised as an after thought until establishing an aesthetic that is borderline childish and without co-ordination. The use of text and the titles are a source of guidance for the viewer to co-ordinate what they interpret from the works.
Influenced but Freud’s 1919 essay The Death Drive, the interpretation of uncertainty and the uncanny as desired factors and meaningless livelihood is entertained by the installation. From there, the theme of meaninglessness is strategised in the art making. Meanwhile, the subtext of each work is a reflection though an abstract lens. From the presumed sentience of a hypothetical foetus, intertwining red velvet cake with suicide, being insecure with makeup while using excess amounts of it, incorporating cheap materials towards delusions of grandeur, a shrine dedicated to a imagined young man, and lastly staying safe away from marriage and family.
Nonsensical Sensibilities was showcased in Everything in Between Exhibition at the Tusday Club in Auckland on October 2022, and in the Whitecliffe BFA (Hons) and MFA Graduation Exhibition in Novemeber 2022 at Whitecliffe College in Auckland.
Boy or Girl, Either Way It’s Definitely a Taurus…
Satin, fabric glue, diamantés, rhinestones, cotton thread, plastic bag on velour
68 x 93.5 x 8.3cm
2022
The Cake Really Was a Lie
Air dry clay, light moulding paste, acrylic paint, oven bake clay, spray paint, rhinestones, plastic beads, super glue, cake container, cake platter, and satin.
100 x 36 cm
2022
Before I Off Myself, I’ll Enjoy a Slice of Red Velvet Cake…Velvet, embroidery thread, cotton thread on a knitted baby blanket.
82 x 97cm
2022
Safe from So-Called Good Things…
Voile fabric, cotton fabric, glass beads, acrylic beads, twine wire and nylon.
82 x 313 x 58cm
2022
Sorry For Your Loss…How Big Was His Nike Air Force 1s?
Baby blanket, porno magazine cutouts, boxers, tie, fake flowers, paper card, paper.
100 x 36cm
2022.
I Think I Over Did It…Foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, fabric glue, rhinestones, glitter crème, eyeliner and mirror.
60 x 72cm
2022
I Look Too Good to be in a Boring Place Like This..
Organza, copper wire, jewellery chain, cotton thread, plastic flowers, twine wire, hair clips, satin ribbons and beads.
72 x 131 cm
2022