Tokens of connection Dessert Equinox residency
Tokens Of Connection is a performance work I developed for the Dessert Equinox Night sculpture Walk which happened in Broken Hill over the long weekend of 30 th of September till the 2nd of October 2022. This sculpture walk was part of a residency organized by Allan Giddy in collaboration with the Broken Hill Art exchange.
See the artwork statement here.
The audience was invited to squish a small ball of clay between two of their fingers capturing their figure print and then have the option to place it as part of the installation. Another part of the work was capturing the action of holding hands by placing a piece of clay between two hands holding each other, this part of the work created intimate moments where loved ones connected, capturing the bond between them.
This work creates a discussion on interactions and connections within a community both the collective community a being aware of one's place within it and the intimate connections between loved ones.
Anecdotes: A lot of families came through each making their mark, bundling their pieces close together representing this family within the installation.
There were a few boys who came back with their pet lizards to make a print of them too, I had chats with local elders about my work connecting with community members, sometimes joining them on a hand-holding print.
Independent unconventional prints
The Show happened over three evenings during which a total of 480 fingerprints and 153 palm prints were collected as part of the work indicating the number of people that interacted with the work. This work was quite intimate, during crowded moments some missed out and couldn’t stop to take part in the work but often had the chance to join on their way back.
I loved connecting with the Broken Hill Community through this interactive performance, everyone was lovely and curious and joined in, it was a wonderful atmosphere and I hope this work made an impact on those who experienced it.
Interesting shaped palm prints
Packing up the work and handpicking up the clay pieces. It was interesting to see parts of the red earth having been stuck and incorporated within the clay pieces always remembering how this work was capturing a specific moment in time in a specific place.
Post-production firing of the clay pieces and exploring how the sand becomes dark and glazed onto the pieces.
