at the table: are we sitting comfortably?
Sally Kidall
Born 1961 in the UK, moved to Australia in 1987, lives in New South Wales.
Through site-specific environmental installations and photography, Sally seeks to challenge the predictability of expectations and 'cultural homogeneity'. Her art practice is inspired by the complexities, equilibrium and fragility of the natural environment and by the ways in which our man-made systems work within, or in opposition to, these natural systems. The focus of her practice is the concept of transition, including notions of unpredictability, vulnerability and ephemerality. Her work is informed by issues relating to human ecology, consumption and materialism.
In her practice, Sally experiments with unstable and vulnerable materials, creating works that change, grow and transform during their display. Salt solutions and crystallisation, ice, clear soap and sugar mixes, casting salt compounds, the corporation of the germination and growing of seeds and turf within works have been included, and even ants and honey have stared in a recent work.
Sally's work At the Table: are we sitting comfortably? for Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2010 is a site-specific, ephemeral installation constructed from four timber chairs and a table thickly covered with river sand. The tablecloth and chair seats are filled with soil and germinating grass seeds. The intention is for the work to respond to its surrounding environment during its display and cultivate over the exhibition.
Sally describes the table and chairs as a cultural symbol for the sharing of meals, a family meeting place, or a place to present, discuss and review ideas and opinions. Phrases such as 'on the table' or 'turn the tables' emphasise the metaphorical use of the word table. Sally is inspired by famous table scenes such as Miss Havisham's decaying wedding feast in Great Expectations, or the Mad Hatter's tea party in Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur's table of wisdom, the Round Table, or Jesus' Last-Supper.
Sally has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally, and completed her MA in Art Design and Media at Portsmouth University in 2007.
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