Bushpig, 2020
mixed media: cotton, silk, eucalyptus dye, eucalyptus branch, beads
Collaborative photography with Michael Lee at Matagarup/Heirisson Island.
Exhibition: Embedded
FLUX
King Street Arts Centre
Murray Street
Boorloo/Perth
29 February - 18 July 2020
Curated by Sandra Murray
Catalogue
Bushpig is the name I was called all through my school years on a daily basis. I was bullied heavily and learnt early to be ashamed of myself. I sunk into myself and believed I was unlovable, repulsive and wanting to disappear. Many of us develop feelings of self-hatred and shame in our childhood years, when we are impressionable and working out our sense of identity. These feelings get carried into adulthood though the origin has long gone. This work is a call to radical self-love and shedding the judgements of others. I am claiming the power of the Bushpig as a persona, a woman who is strong and connected to the Earth. She is not ashamed of her body and the bush is her refuge.