Thursday 26 July 2012

Free Pussy Riot!

Mexican wrestling mask-wearing, Russian all-girl punk rock band Pussy Riot staged a concert in a Moscow orthodox church earlier this year, prior to the Russian election. The band sang a song asking Mary to free Russia from the hands of Putin. Since then 3 of their members have been arrested and held in prison, where they face a jail term of up to 7 years. Amnesty International has said that it considers the three women to be prisoners of conscience "detained solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs."

Reading of their plight made me think of how many times I might have been arrested should I have been a Russian artist, and how lucky I am to have grown up with freedom of speech. I created these 4 badges to wear on my various Russian hats, in support of the band and to reinforce that my wearing of military clothing in no way constitutes support of corrupt governments, nationalism or warmongering.


Metro Award 2012

Photos from The Metro Award 2012 announcement and exhibition opening night, 18th July 2012. Thanks to photographer Amy Lobb.





Monday 9 July 2012

Metro Award Nomination!

I am delighted to announce that I have been selected as 1 of 25 finalists in The Metro Award 2012:
http://www.metrogallery.com.au/exhibitions/60/2012-metro-gallery-art-award/
Here is my selected piece: