Taking a Chance on Love

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BACKGROUND This work is recognized as a key floor based sculptural installation in Weaver's oeuvre. Significant ongoing conceptual and technical concerns are investigated in this speculative work that presages climate change and the decrease of biodiversity in our ecosystem. Experimentation with innovative found materials and their application for sculpture including nylon fabric cut and sealed with high frequency sound waves is unique. As the earliest installation selected by curators for this exhibition it provides the context for a number of other artist's works to be considered. CONTRBIUTION This work was presented following a formally planned and stylized layout. In this most recent exhibition (2015) the work was presented as a distinctly different installation. In arranging the various tree branches, animal models and found components more naturalistically across the carpet support I noticed the installation becoming more 'ad hoc', accidental and spontaneous. The placement of forms related less to my original intention for the work highlighting traditional craft and textiles within a formally structured and aestheticized space instead inferring aspects of random "natural phenomena" and implying a sense of "wildness". This research and new knowledge has directly informed my recent experimental paintings that explore accidental chance occurrences in the production of fields or 'skins' of paint, highlighting the transient and imperfect as positive and desired attributes. SIGNIFICANCE Samantha Comte and Mark Feary curated 'A Selection of Works from the Michael Buxton Collection' at Bendigo Art Gallery. Co-exhibitors include, David Noonan, Hany Armanious, Ricky Swallow, and Mikala Dwyer. Weaver's sculpture 'Taking a Chance on Love' is featured in this exhibition and was selected for the cover of the catalogue, national press and gallery education program. It was awarded the prestigious Rigg Design Award (Textiles) The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia 2003.