Art News

Assembled ideas

An intriguing new exhibition by Alstonville artist Pauline Roby, entitled Up On Utopia Parkway, is now on show at the Lismore Regional Gallery.

For this exhibition Pauline has experimented with assemblage - a technique where everyday non-art objects, fragment of objects and assorted materials are used to form mixed media sculptures.

Using everything from children's dolls and toy soldiers to bathroom objects such as lipstick, pieces of old material and even condoms, Pauline has created a collection which provides an interesting perspective on themes such as spirituality, politics and gender in the 21st century.

In some ways, the exhibition almost feels voyeuristic, with each of the box frame sculptures containing one or more miniature 'characters' suspended in a different reality.

"The composition of each piece is deliberate, central and static, with a figure contained within its own theatre," explained Pauline. "Although these objects tell my stories, they will also provoke the viewer to perceive and invent their own narratives about the contents of each box. Usually my themes and interests are of a personal psychological 'head trip' but over this past year the political has become impossible to ignore."

Pauline also has an installation entitled Yearn on display at the Norco Artspace in Union Street, South Lismore. Up On Utopia Parkway and Yearn will both be on show until February 5.