Fair dinkum offshore processing

Full description

Background

“Fair dinkum offshore processing” the title coming from a quote by the former Minster for the Arts, Mitch Fifield, is a continuation of an earlier series of small sculptures (The Journey, On the Boat and Dignity) that interrogate successive Australian Governments’ response to refugees. The research and the resulting largescale sculpture aims to bring into sharp view Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and refugees. By creating a platform, a prison that floats, just ‘offshore’ the work challenges the idea of ‘out of sight, out of mind” It also attempts to question the morality of Australia’s cruel manipulation of the “migration zone” and what is considered to be Australia.

Contribution

In making “Fair dinkum offshore processing” I employed the conventions of tableaux photography, set design and building, employing 3d modelling and rendering techniques to initially visualise and ultimately ‘design’ the sculpture - an innovation and evolution of standard practices. The use of silhouettes (people), 1:1 scaling and realistic, ‘off the shelf’ materials when combined with the position of the sculpture – floating on water and seen at a distance challenges the viewer to question the scene presented. Ultimately there is a realisation the figures are not real, they cut from corten steel locked in shiny gal and aluminium a floating prison with no door, where they will rust and decay.

Significance

This work was initially exhibited at the Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2016 (Lorne, Australia) and was later also exhibited Sculpture by the Sea 2016 (Sydney, Australia). Lorne Sculpture Biennale & Sculpture by the Sea are both internationally recognised sculpture competitions attracting national and international participants.