Explosion/implosion, exhale

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RESEARCH BACKGROUND: `Explosion/implosion, exhale investigates lace techniques and the process of creating two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional forms that flatten and fragment spaces and landscape. The exhibition showcased innovative work that challenged traditional concepts of lace. McPherson's work is an investigation into spaces and self through a process of mapping and measuring landscapes with small grids to demonstrate how each fragment is a small component of the measured world. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION This work is an example of circular paper lace, loosely based on the idea of the diagrammatic representation of crystalline formations. The crystalline forms are adapted from an 18th century representation of crystal rock formations that have been abstracted and remade into geometric shapes. The research has led to the development of new printing techniques; ink formulations; templates; and making processes to construct paper cut lace-like artwork. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE The exhibition was curated and commissioned by Lindie Ward through a competitive peer-review process. McPherson's work sits alongside 33 other art practitioners including sculptors, designers, textile artists and architects from 20 countries as part of the Sydney Design 2011, the major design festival of Sydney, Australia.