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