UNTETHERED
New works by SUSAN FLAVELL
2nd - 26th October, 2003 @ ARTPLACE
Reviewed by Judith McGrath

Welcome to the world of of animorphs, a collection of fascinating fabrications that are sometimes funny but never fearsome combinations of animal forms. They are conceived in the imagination of the artist and brought into our world via her well honed skills.

This collection of weird and wonderful sculptures range in size from hold it in the hand small to place it on the patio large. Many project an intriguing human quality due either to a familiar pose or sculpted people feet. Then there are the doll's eyes scattered about the torso that seem to look back at us looking at them. All the parts are arranged in strange proximity according to some preconceived plan devised in the artist's imagination, nothing is accidental, there are preliminary sketches that illustrate how the creatures came to be.

But there is more to this exhibition then just constructing fantasy animals, there is the investigation into techniques of creating faux finishes. Flavall's sculpted creatures wear surfaces of cleverly contrived illusions of marble, pewter and stained wood. Believe it or not, Kid Copper Jackal seated on the floor isn't really made of beaten copper, he's constructed of paper and glue. And Fat Tail Brow is not an example of carved and rubbed smooth Carrara marble, it's well disguised plaster.

In this unusual exhibition Flavell demonstrates that strangeness can in some way be comforting, that looks can deceive and how we perceive art is completely arbitrary. She also shows us that a hamster can have a frog's face. The artist has a unique way of seeing the world around us and the ability to present what she sees in well crafted works. What more could you ask of any artist?

Clear your head of all preconceived ideas of art, animals and stuffed toys then go and view this exhibition of untethered ideas and amazing stuff.
 


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