Still Life as Monument. 2021/22

Developed by colluding with Carla Hart from Wildflower Floral Stylists Still Life as Monument is a high gloss, direct to metal unique state print that features a monumentally scaled floral arrangement by Carla and two gigantic butterflies – the Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi) and the Eastern Ringed Xeneca  (Geitoneura acantha) both of which are endemic to the Illawarra.  The incorporation of two lattice elements from a hardwood Qing dynasty provincial lattice-backed cabinet displayed elsewhere into two massive flanking buttresses either side of the image deliberately ambiguates its cultural location.   This is one of the many examples of how the ArtHitects use spolia a process in which architectural fragments from one era or culture are repurposed by another. Spolia is an important concept for the ArtHitects and an example of their citation of arcane or forgotten processes to examine contemporary issues from a different perspective.  The butterflies could stand in for the ArtHitects and its position opposite the entrance doors directly corresponds to the landscaping outside the front of Wollongong Art Gallery which similarly features a Gymea Lilly (Doryanthes excelsa).

 The highly polished surface of the image in addition to making it difficult to read its details and composition upon entering The Illawarra Pavilion allows it to reflect the light coming through the entrance doors to the gallery opposite.  This creates the illusion of another possible opening to the outside within the pavilion.  Additionally, because you must approach it closely to view Still Life as Monument clearly the image obliges the viewer to move into specific positions on either side to view it fully which is a strategy commonly used in garden design from China and less frequently elsewhere.