Artist Statement
Lucille Martin is a nationally recognized artist, and winner of numerous awards who is echoing the frustration and pain felt internationally and expresses the fragility of the earth she feels though her art. Artist and activist, she has an extensive body of work which expresses the suffering brought about through the Bali bombing, the war in Iraq and her current work, Mapping Fragility echoes the effects of the recent Tsunami. How long can we continue to be objective, disallowing our feelings and spirit. There is nowhere to hide anymore. I want to acknowledge the tragedy and present a place of recognizing and embracing the changes that need to occur, to find a way of looking ahead with optimism (Martin 2005). Berapa was created after a two month residency in Bali prior to the bombing and used textiles that are sewn and painted to create delicate yet powerful statements about what happens when cultural identity is in transition. It explores the profound cultural and political changes that occurred in Bali and was created to commemorate the victims of the October 2002 bombings. (ABC Arts screened an interview with Lucille about her exhibition). Lucille will allow the viewer to engage in her own journey of asking stimulating questions beyond Bali, about our own vulnerability, loss of innocence and global interconnectedness Lucille's latest work and recent winner of the 2004 Border Art Prize Collateral Damage (footage available) speaks of global sentiment of the current war with Iraq, frustration and sadness at the constant loss of life. The work weaves potent and sensitive words monogrammed on black canvas with long white strands of thread pouring from the words and falling helplessly on the floor. Collateral Damage compels us to reflect on our denial of the possibility of such an event happening to us. It was created to raise questions about the abuse of power, the loss of local culture, and the necessity of respecting our differences. The works speaks about a system of ordering, and how we are contained within it. Similar to Michael Moore's film Bowling for Columbine, and recent documentary programs such as The Corporation, Lucille refers to the activity of governments to keep us afraid. The perpetuation of fear keeps us disempowered. Lucille's work stimulates strong emotional responses from its viewers and she is often asked to speak about the issues it raises. Lucille was awarded a NSW Ministry for the Arts grant and will take up residency in late 2005 at the Gunnery Studio's in Sydney for three months to develop and promote her on going program of work, Mapping Fragility to national and international curators. Innovative and provocative, she is a communicator with visual dialogue who will take the viewer on an intimate journey that will resonate strongly with them for a long time to See extensive CV or publication "Berapa" by contacting address provided. come.

Art Forms

• Other
• 2 D (painting/printmaking/drawing/illustration/cartoons)
• Conceptual
• Design
• Media arts
• 3 D (sculpture/installation/public art)
• Multimedia /hybrid
• Indigenous art