Megan Evans, ‘Curious Cabinets’, found Victorian objects, glass beads, velvet and satin, 2017.
‘Curious Cabinets‘ is an extension of a work by Megan Evans from a collaborative exhibition, ‘SQUATTERS AND SAVAGES’ with Peter Waples-Crowe at Ballarat Art Gallery. Artist Peter Waples-Crowe and Megan Evans responded to the galleries colonial print collection that portrayed Indigenous Australians as either noble savages or reduced them to a gross Eurocentric depiction of a savage. ‘Curious Cabinets’ consists of Evans’ collection of Victorian objects that are reinterpreted inside this context, showing the violent detritus of Victoriana. Evans work asks the viewer to consider how monstrous acts of the past impact on generations today both black and white.
Accompany the cabinet installations is two video works. ‘SQUATTERS AND SAVAGES’ a collaboration with Peter Waples-Crowe with a sound response ‘DERP DERP’ by Susan Maco Forrester and Dylan (Sadge) Clarke. The second, ‘STRANGER’ a solo project by Megan Evans with soundtrack by Biddy Conner. Both video works will be screened at the opening on Thursday 5th October between 6 – 8pm.
Megan Evans, ‘Curious Cabinets’, found Victorian objects, glass beads, velvet and satin, 2017.