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The Australian Bowerbird constructs a bower out of sticks and then searches for pleasing objects to place around it in order to attract a mate. These objects, different among each species, can include shells, insect wings, leaves and flowers, berries and beetles, but also objects such as bottle tops, straws, coins and clothes pegs. The bowerbird then sets about arranging and rearranging his piles of objects in the home he has made.
Bowerbirds & Other Animals is a collection of paintings exploring the search for a sense of place, of trying to find home in unfamiliar surroundings. Irish artist Maria Hildrick's work has looked to question how we place value on the objects we surround ourselves with and how these objects can give you a sense of home.
Toys, statues, trinkets and photos have no intrinsic emotions but are charged with an array of meanings, feelings and memories for those that owned them. Maria grew up mostly around Dublin and London, frequently moving from one place to another with her family. When the objects that surround you are consistent, but not the places, this instils them with great importance. These paintings contain things that are full of meaning to the artist, but also other found objects, that mean something to someone else. Some of the objects are trying to find a place for themselves, just as the artist has been trying to find a place for herself here in Australia.
A visual idea of history is represented by layers (from exposed canvas, to drawings, to paint), creating a concept of memory within the work. This can be understood as a tangible reflection of the memories that are a starting point for many these pieces. As with the original objects however, the meaning of the work changes with the viewer.
Bowerbirds & Other Animals opens on Thursday 3rd December, 6.30pm at Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers' Beach, off Mews Road, Fremantle. The show runs from the 4th - 9th December, 10am – 5pm.
For more information on the show or the artist please contact Kidogo on 9335 9636 or go to www.mariahildrick.com
Bowerbirds & Other Animals is a collection of paintings exploring the search for a sense of place, of trying to find home in unfamiliar surroundings. Irish artist Maria Hildrick's work has looked to question how we place value on the objects we surround ourselves with and how these objects can give you a sense of home.
Toys, statues, trinkets and photos have no intrinsic emotions but are charged with an array of meanings, feelings and memories for those that owned them. Maria grew up mostly around Dublin and London, frequently moving from one place to another with her family. When the objects that surround you are consistent, but not the places, this instils them with great importance. These paintings contain things that are full of meaning to the artist, but also other found objects, that mean something to someone else. Some of the objects are trying to find a place for themselves, just as the artist has been trying to find a place for herself here in Australia.
A visual idea of history is represented by layers (from exposed canvas, to drawings, to paint), creating a concept of memory within the work. This can be understood as a tangible reflection of the memories that are a starting point for many these pieces. As with the original objects however, the meaning of the work changes with the viewer.
Bowerbirds & Other Animals opens on Thursday 3rd December, 6.30pm at Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers' Beach, off Mews Road, Fremantle. The show runs from the 4th - 9th December, 10am – 5pm.
For more information on the show or the artist please contact Kidogo on 9335 9636 or go to www.mariahildrick.com