GAIL KENNING and SUE PEDLEY
return to Slot with a work that references
current issues around homelessness and the plight of refugees.
The work was inspired by a hand drawn banner made by 5 year
old Xavier Egan for the Light the Dark Vigil at Sydney’s Hyde Park on Monday 7th
September 2015[1].
The vigil drew attention to the displaced people around the world through
messages of welcome and solidarity.
The rallies, which took place in a number of cities in Australia
called on political leaders to take an active role to ease the suffering of the
growing numbers of refugees worldwide.
The work by Kenning and Pedley at slot consists of a set of
curtains, made from the conservatively styled material used to the line suits
of corporate clothing, most typically suits. The curtains are casually draped
reminiscent of the carefully chosen furnishings that differentiate a house from
a home and provides a sense of place that are currently not available to many
refugees. The matter of who is allowed to become a resident and can make a home
is complex. It involves engaging with issues of nation states and territories,
economics, politics and warring factions. The simplicity of the message
‘There’s room in my house’ written in blue in a child’s handwriting stands in
stark contrast to the cacophony of voices commentating on the events as they
unfold. It risks being an oversimplification. But, it reminds us of the role
that creativity, art and imagining can play in cutting through and
demonstrating basic shared humanity.
http://slotwindow.blogspot.com.au
gailkenning.com
suepedley.com.au
http://slotwindow.blogspot.com.au
gailkenning.com
suepedley.com.au
[1] A photo of Xavier
Evans and his hand written message appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald. Photo: Luke Vodell
