Melbourne-based artist Kate James draws from a variety of media to produce objects, photographs, textile works and video. In creating her intricate, hand-crafted and psychologically-charged sculptures and objects, James employs repetitive and painstaking techniques, often adapted from uncommon, sometimes obsolete, craft practices.
In this new body of work the measuring of time is counted out in tiny horsehair stitches; awkward nets of horsehair catch nothing but air in their attempt to control something unseen; funnels are both literal and metaphoric sites of transference from one state to another, or used as vessels to channel materials and change their course; objects spill out or catch substances in bulbous sacks. The introduction of a cipher symbolises juxtaposing ideas of emptiness/fullness, nothingness/completeness.
The Other Side of Despair – essay by Jordana Aamalia
Installation view
The Other Side of Despair, exhibition installation view
Photograph: Craig Burgess
Installation view
The Other Side of Despair, exhibition installation view
Photograph: Craig Burgess
Transference
Transference, 2009-2011
horsehair, glass, clay, fabric, pigment and coal
20 x 98 x 15cm
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Cipher
Cipher, 2011
horsehair, rope, steel, glass beads and acrylic beads
131 x 31 x 9cm
Photograph: Craig Burgess
Cipher
Cipher, 2011 (detail)
horsehair, rope, steel, glass beads and acrylic beads
131 x 31 x 9cm
Cipher
Cipher, 2011 (detail)
horsehair, rope, steel, glass beads and acrylic beads
131 x 31 x 9cm
web)_craig.jpg)
Hourglass
steel, clay, fabric, pigment, glass beads and acrylic beads
77 x 35 x 17cm
Photograph: Craig Burgess
Hourglass (detail)
Hourglass, 2011
steel, clay, fabric, pigment, glass beads and acrylic beads
77 x 35 x 17cm
Cornucopia
Cornucopia, 2011
horsehair, glass beads, acrylic beads and clay
dimensions variable (approx 6 x 32 x 36cm)
Cornucopia
horsehair, glass beads, acrylic beads and clay
dimensions variable (approx 32 x 36 x 6cm)
Photograph: Craig Burgess
The Distance Between Hope and Despair
The Distance Between Hope and Despair, 2011 (detail)
horsehair, dimensions variable
The Nodal Point
horsehair and wood
7.5 x 35 x 9cm
Photograph: Craig Burgess
The Nodal Point
The Nodal Point, 2007-2008
horsehair and wood, 7.5 x 35 x 9cm
The Work of Worry is Never Done
The Work of Worry is Never Done, 2006
horsehair and wood, 3 x 128 x 4cm
Installation view
The Other Side of Despair, exhibition installation view
Photograph: Craig Burgess
Hourglass
Hourglass, 2011
watercolour and gouache on paper
47 x 67.5cm, framed
Funnel Vision
Funnel Vision, 2011
watercolour and gouache on paper
47 x 67.5cm, framed
Collection
Collection, 2011
watercolour on paper
47 x 67.5cm, framed
