ARTIST STATEMENT
Release is an exhibition that explores the temporal act of writing, erasing and re-writing one's story in paint. A cathartic process that allows one to let go clearing the mind and body. The works explore trauma on the feminine whilst contemplating the hidden complexities of the mind. Through the process of making Amanda observes rapid though patterns, transcribing these into the work where she is able to re-write her memories. In a palimpsest style the work leaves traces of its earlier form making visible the indescribable energy in life.
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Through this work Amanda looks into the health and wellbeing of women, today and through the ages. Women have claimed the rights to write, vote, work and experience more equality in the world. With all this change, trauma leaves an imprint, when one is holding on, it can effect the feminine cycle. Most women will have a sense of this as a recent report show issues with female cycles are affecting more than 50% of women, reporting they are feeling dismissed by the medical industry. We simultaneously feel blessed and cursed by these cycles. Through the seasons and daily conversations Amanda moves beyond her experience whilst engaging in a moving meditation practice and the observation of thoughts.
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Amanda Kay is a multidisciplinary artist exploring writing, recycled objects, works on paper, mixed media on canvas, digital works and large scale integrated public artworks as part of T3D Studios. Amanda has been engaged in an artist residency in Tasmania, exploring the theme of Roadkill at the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery and a residency at the Cube (QUT), exploring climate change for the interactive touch screens that span two floors of the university. Recently she has been awarded various grant opportunities from the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, Regional Arts Australia, RANT Arts and Arts Tasmania to develop her digital skills and fine art within a mentorship with industry professionals such as Michael Gissing from Digital City Studios and with fine artist, Sue Lovegrove to enhance her studio practice.
This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia and Arts Tasmania.
Exhibition @moonahartscentre
23-27 Albert Rd, Moonah TAS
7th - 22nd June 2024
https://www.moonahartscentre.org.au/events/release/
With thanks to:
@ReginalArtsAustralia
@RANTArts
@AustralianGovernmentRegionalArtsFund
@RegionalArtsAustralia
@ArtsTasmania
@SueLovegrove
Kelsey Hegarty @hegartykelsey
Catherine Shields @CatherineShields11
Michael Gissing @DigitalCityStudios
PROJECT DETAILS
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Location: Moonah Arts Centre
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Grant: Australian Government Regional Arts Fund + Arts Tasmania
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Year: 2024
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Materials: Mixed media on Canvas and Paper​
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Dimensions: Various sizes
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Produced by: Amanda Kay
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Artist Mentor: Sue Lovegrove
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Post Production: Michael Gissing - Digital City Studios
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Listening:
Emma Bett is talking on ABC Radio about the exhibition 'Release' held at Moonah Arts Centre. She encourages audiences to visit the exhibition during Dark Mofo 2024.​
Written Review:
"I was fascinated with your use of text which can be quite difficult to resolve in abstract painting. The work is intelligent, sophisticated and fresh.
Your methodology is rigorous and sound.
It was very refreshing to encounter work that arises from important concepts but is not bogged down in Theory."
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Sean Kelley
(independent curator)
Summer
Duration: 2.59min
Statement: The artwork "Summer" captures the feelings of the anticipation of summer. Painted over two months, words from an inner dialogue were transcribed. Spoken word here captures a few of the early thoughts as I describe and discover summer, metaphysically and physically. This exploration into summer allows me to explore the feelings of hope and joy or anger and frustration.
A Studio Practise
Duration: 3.42min
Statement: An excerpt of my studio practice. This work is based on self-inquiry where I am focusing on ideas around excessive consumption and how a person can use consumption to hide away from internal feelings. The work is produced over a few weeks in which I engage with my inner dialogue. The theme 'Consumption' was inspired by Tich Nich Hahn who passed away in January 2022. This short film captures the creation of making work where one gets to visually see the paint being consumed by the painting itself.
