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| Salt Lake (detail) 2018 |
The
first month of Autumn WINDOWSPACE–BEEAC will show the work of
Melbourne-based artist Liz Walker, a previous emerging artist award
winner (2009) at one of the largest contemporary sculpture events in Australia,
the Lorne Sculpture Biennale. Liz will bring a bit of biennale to
Beeac with her installation ‘Salt Lake’ during the month of March.
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Liz
Walker has been described as a gleaner, collector and re-user who manipulates
recycled corrugated iron, pressed metal and found objects into sculptural
forms, her studio represents this – it is a wonderful space of collection and
making. The studio is big, it is full of big tools, big work benches, scores
of rusted iron sheets and just pieces of stuff which many would describe as
junk.
However, for Liz all found objects and junk present a possibility to re-use,
manipulate and to tell a story, usually exploring social and environmental
issues which are close to her heart. As seen in ‘junk mail’ (2009) the
found objects and recycled materials are always carefully sorted, manipulated
and thoughtfully incorporated initiating amazing sculptures and installations.
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junk mail (2009)
Lorne Sculpture Biennale
Emerging Artist Winner
|
The
old Gainger Bros Garage transformed into WINDOWSPACE-BEEAC, is an appealing
space for someone like Liz to show her work. She has a love of old and a
huge commitment to sustainability practice and contemporary art in community
spaces, Liz states, 'in recent years’ community engagement through creative
workshops and collaborative project delivery has become increasingly important
to my practice and development as an artist'.
The
salt crusted, altered pieces of aluminium placed on a distressed chair conjure
up the depths of what might be found in and around the lake, natural plant life
struggling while at the same time surviving. These pieces are the colour
of the lake and although distressed, sit with a strong sense of regeneration
over numerous found and manipulated objects randomly scattered by Walker.
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| Salt Lake (detail) 2018 |
The
football, the leaves, the bottles, the mechanics tool, the domestic objects all
tell a story of what was and what is. The salt crusted nest made from
rusted wire sitting on the floor makes reference to the beauty of the water
birds that come to the lake to feed on Brine Shrimp and find sanctuary;
regardless of the changes it has had to bear and the 'junk' that is sometimes
left Lake Beeac continues to bounce back and give.
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| Found objects 2018 |
In
Walker's words Salt Lake is ‘an imagined conversation between the past
and the present, exploring notions of life and death, regeneration and
hope.’
Take
time to look, imagine and treasure the beauty of the lake. Go for a
wander.............
Liz
has recently moved from Brunswick to Red Hill, on the Mornington Peninsula and
is currently working on a new body of work responding to the grounds and
architecture of historic Montsalvat which will be exhibited outdoors from
August – October this year. She is also preparing to deliver a new series of
environmental workshops and undertake the Grain Store residency www.thegrainstore.org at Nathalia with Avis Gardner.
Liz
has exhibited widely in group and solo exhibitions, undertaken public artworks,
received awards, grants and residencies and her work is held in public and
private collections in Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Ireland.
Liz
will be running a workshop as part of Lorne Sculpture Biennale http://lornesculpture.com/program-2018.php .
Liz
Walker
Visual
artist
instagram:
@lizwalkerart
