Transference is an act, a process and the instance of transferring from one position to another, in a state of flux.
Exhibition Artist Statement
This exhibition brings together the work of three artists that have a preoccupation with the body in their work. Transference is an act, a process and the instance of transferring from one position to another, in a state of flux. For each of the artists these themes are explored through iterations of the body. Alyssa Choat’s Between Hand and Hand, 2017, shows exploration of materiality and the moving body. Documentation of recently completed performance practice with contemporary dancers, the work explores the disobedience and vitality of materials when moved by the body through digital photographic stills of the performance. These are reproduced on translucent, hard and malleable surfaces, collapsing and reclining on bowed metal scaffolds. Rachael Cassar’s work is in response to the blurred bodily borders felt during prepartum through sculpted, organ-like forms alongside photography which takes you inside the sculpture and lets you chase the enigma within. Cassar’s intent was to negotiate her naïve understanding of her own body during prepartum, to translate the otherworldly sensory experience, and to recreate the surreal and unsettling way in which her imagination faced the unknown. Lin Wei’s Seeing Through the Mirror, 2017, is a series of selected photographs produced without the assistance of post-production manipulation. In the images, mirrors and lighting are used to manifest strange and unfamiliar impressions of the body. The work shows the ability of technical lighting to not just effectively conceal the body in shadows, but also to illuminate fictitious bodies that transgress the boundaries of real flesh and affect human sensibility.
BIO
Alyssa Choat works primarily in performance and is interested in relationships between the moving body and materials, whether in a live or filmed performance context. Often working with contemporary dancers, Alyssa develops movement and material interventions within her creative work. Recent exhibitions include, Live Sculptures, 2016, a live performance and exhibition, Old Rum Store, Chippendale and Deframed, 2016, for Art Month Sydney. Alyssa has also recently exhibited internationally as part of the Critical Costume exhibition at Helsinki, Finland. Rachael Cassar is a designer and artist who started her fashion and textile practice in 2007, the same year she was acknowledged for her innovative approach to sustainable design. To date, Rachael’s work has been exhibited internationally, including Ethics of Style, 2014 at the Light Factory Gallery, Victoria and HANGAR, 2016 at the Merry Crisis Gallery, Sydney. RACHAEL CASSAR is represented by Preface Public Relations in Los Angeles, which has established the brand in the US. As a designer/artist/maker Rachael challenges herself to resolve issues of obsolescence through exploring deconstruction and upcycling. Lin Wei is a photomedia artist based in Sydney who has exhibited both nationally and internationally since 2011. Selected recent exhibitions include Spatial Awareness at Jarvis Dooney Galerie (Berlin, Germany, 2016), 8th Annual Nude at MANIFEST Gallery (Ohio, USA, 2016), Body Form #5 at Australian Centre for Photography (Sydney, Australia, 2015). Wei’s N.A #3 has been announced as first place prize winner and is set to be published in Manifest’s 5th International Photography Annual (release 2017).
Exhibition Artist Statement
This exhibition brings together the work of three artists that have a preoccupation with the body in their work. Transference is an act, a process and the instance of transferring from one position to another, in a state of flux. For each of the artists these themes are explored through iterations of the body. Alyssa Choat’s Between Hand and Hand, 2017, shows exploration of materiality and the moving body. Documentation of recently completed performance practice with contemporary dancers, the work explores the disobedience and vitality of materials when moved by the body through digital photographic stills of the performance. These are reproduced on translucent, hard and malleable surfaces, collapsing and reclining on bowed metal scaffolds. Rachael Cassar’s work is in response to the blurred bodily borders felt during prepartum through sculpted, organ-like forms alongside photography which takes you inside the sculpture and lets you chase the enigma within. Cassar’s intent was to negotiate her naïve understanding of her own body during prepartum, to translate the otherworldly sensory experience, and to recreate the surreal and unsettling way in which her imagination faced the unknown. Lin Wei’s Seeing Through the Mirror, 2017, is a series of selected photographs produced without the assistance of post-production manipulation. In the images, mirrors and lighting are used to manifest strange and unfamiliar impressions of the body. The work shows the ability of technical lighting to not just effectively conceal the body in shadows, but also to illuminate fictitious bodies that transgress the boundaries of real flesh and affect human sensibility.
BIO
Alyssa Choat works primarily in performance and is interested in relationships between the moving body and materials, whether in a live or filmed performance context. Often working with contemporary dancers, Alyssa develops movement and material interventions within her creative work. Recent exhibitions include, Live Sculptures, 2016, a live performance and exhibition, Old Rum Store, Chippendale and Deframed, 2016, for Art Month Sydney. Alyssa has also recently exhibited internationally as part of the Critical Costume exhibition at Helsinki, Finland. Rachael Cassar is a designer and artist who started her fashion and textile practice in 2007, the same year she was acknowledged for her innovative approach to sustainable design. To date, Rachael’s work has been exhibited internationally, including Ethics of Style, 2014 at the Light Factory Gallery, Victoria and HANGAR, 2016 at the Merry Crisis Gallery, Sydney. RACHAEL CASSAR is represented by Preface Public Relations in Los Angeles, which has established the brand in the US. As a designer/artist/maker Rachael challenges herself to resolve issues of obsolescence through exploring deconstruction and upcycling. Lin Wei is a photomedia artist based in Sydney who has exhibited both nationally and internationally since 2011. Selected recent exhibitions include Spatial Awareness at Jarvis Dooney Galerie (Berlin, Germany, 2016), 8th Annual Nude at MANIFEST Gallery (Ohio, USA, 2016), Body Form #5 at Australian Centre for Photography (Sydney, Australia, 2015). Wei’s N.A #3 has been announced as first place prize winner and is set to be published in Manifest’s 5th International Photography Annual (release 2017).
