The matter of which a thing can be made

2024

cotton thread, acrylic and oil on cotton tea towel

60 x 40 cm

The matter of which a thing can be made is a reflection of Australian military history and women’s roles in times of conflict, and a careful contemplation of my own identity as a woman.

By using the tea towel – which was used to wipe paint from brushes used on previous artworks – I am acknowledging my previous academic achievements and the path I took to get to this career within Defence. The use of textiles refers to women’s positions, the traditionally feminine act of sewing, the rationing of clothing during the Second World War, and the female war artists that appeared during this time. It also recognises the impact of rehabilitative embroidery during the First World War.

The subject, a surreal combination of portraits, acts as a kaleidoscopic insight into identity and the fluctuation of ideas surrounding selfhood. It uses images of unidentified personnel and my own portrait as reference. This suggests that, without those who came before, I would not be in the position I am today.