Broken
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Highly Commended: Photography - digital, and new media art
Artwork Statement
In the early hours of the morning several months ago, my peaceful slumber was disrupted by the sight and sound of a vehicle careening through my front gate and into my courtyard, missing my house by just a few inches. My courtyard, the home of my granddaughter’s fairy garden, was annihilated by the vehicle. This fairy was the sole survivor and escaped with only a little damage. On the other hand, I still suffer from the trauma of the incident, which has disrupted my life.
Curator's Comment
The fairy, or fairy garden, is an indication / symbol of home and children. The well thought out composition and curation of the image disrupts a happy scene and removes a greater story – the small frame is suggestive of a moment without being too literal. This allows for the viewer to come into the image. The work speaks to loss, carnage or damage. There is something about the fairy though that gives some ray of hope in ruin. This is a nice tension.
About the artist
As an artist in the Western Downs, Shirley Makin draws inspiration from social dynamics, nature, her environment and relationships. Makin’s conceptual approach spans painting and installation, marked by experimentation and the use of found materials to narrate stories reflecting rural life.