Structural installation; bamboo poles and fabric
FUSION BOTANICAL, Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens
19 October 2024
About the Artwork
This artwork was produced specifically for the 2024 FUSION BOTANICAL Multicultural Festival. Commencing with the idea of belonging, the artist thought of all the ethnicities and cultures coming together, celebrating and creating their sense of belonging at this place.
"Interestingly, and in contrast, I've never felt like I 'belonged' in Australia. A feeling hard to admit; is it un-Australian? Will I be seen as arrogant or unpatriotic? Conceited?
I asked myself; "Where do I belong?", “When did I feel a sense of belonging?”
I answered; I belong to my family, I belong to my memories, I belong to the present moment.
As a child, I have distinct memories of washing hanging on the clothesline in the sun. The breeze fluttering through, the scent of fresh sheets, me playing in the spaces, temporary cubby houses formed, windows and doors opening and closing as I hide and seek. A feeling of safety.
This cheriesd memory, was the starting point for this artwork. Belonging in my memory, and now the present moment here. I want you to feel nostalgic, safe, playful and light. I want you to feel like you belong here, in the present moment.
I invite you to linger, explore, play, reminisce and above all enjoy."
About the artist
Stephanie Quirk (b.1985, Newcastle, Awabakal and Worimi country) is an emerging artist based in Illawarra (Dharawal country). With a growing career spanning local, Sydney, and international exhibitions, Quirk thrives in community engagement projects, painting, performance, and site-specific sculptural installation.
Her creative exploration revolves around immersive experiences and the theoretical Sublime, influenced by her mountaineering adventures. Radiant colours and craft media imbue her work with playful vitality, reimagining and activating spaces. Stephanie's artistic expertise stems from a Bachelor's (Hons) and a Master's degree in Fine Arts from Sydney College of the Arts, coupled with a Master's in Education from the University of Technology.
Her artistic practice whilst initially focused on audience engagement through immersive installations, has more recently shifted to encompass education, as she combines the explorations within her art practice with the passion and experience from her teaching career.