Next Gen 2024
Next Gen was an art program run through the Gold Coast Council Arts and Culture Sector. This program was for artists of any form (visual artists, musicians or actors, etc.) from ages 18-25. The program ran for 6 weeks, focusing on two weekend intensives featuring presentations, panels and workshops, followed by a period of time to work on your own project supported by an experienced artist.' To conclude the program, an event was held to pitch our practice and what we had worked on in the previous weeks.
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The project I ended up developing was a book that was the beginning sketches and ideas of a solo exhibition. During this time, I was dealing with some quite intense health issues. After countless tmj specialists, doctor visits, and even going to the emergency room, it ended up being a tooth infection resulting in a root canal.
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Trying to make art, it was hard not to think about or being interrupted with lightning pain on my face. So I ended up making it my muse. I had previously used the body as inspiration in my art practice during university, which included a work I still haven't made due to not being able to access data from my local hospital.
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Here is an overview of my pitch:
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A collection of works that explore specifically my body.
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Main work of the collection to be referencing my appendix surgery.
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Touching on the topics of protection and defence.
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Connection between the works would not only be in subject manner but also the material of soldering as a through line.
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The collections materials and techniques will range from painting, sculpture, fibre/textile, drawing and photography/photograph manipulation.
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Using images of my body and its troubles as reference and inspiration.
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The beginning process of the body of work is displayed.
Below are scans of the sketchbook I produced during the residency.
