Gough, Julie (2003) Transmutation. [Creative Work]

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Abstract

Julie Gough’s “Transmutation” is exceptionally successful in using its space to create an experience, though she admittedly makes the least obvious reference to the task at hand: the communities of the Wasatch Front. Gough has used the room at her disposal to create a surrealistic theatre set. Upon first entering the room, the viewer is confronted by thirty-three pillows, hovering in the dark room, a warm glow of light shining from above. In a back corner, a hospital bed, with heart monitor is only barely visible. However, the light of the room brings one’s attention to the pillows. The gravity of the darkened hospital bed is juxtaposed against the airy quality of the floating pillows. The viewer is walking in between the spaces created by the conflux of two worlds. The mortal world of the hospital bed is faint and diminishing compared to the well-lit pillows.

Research Statement

Research Background	In 2002 I was invited to Utah with six other Australian artists: Josie Cavallero, Jacqueline Clayton, Regina Walter, Bonita Ely, Anne Graham, Noelene Lucas to experience and respond to the culture and place, in a group exhibition: Outside Inside: Fragments of Space at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art in Provo, Utah. I travelled to Utah for the conception phase of the work, and for the installation and opening of the exhibition late in 2003. Each artist was provided gallery space within the Museum for their work.
Research Contribution	This was a 2 year cross cultural exchange project between Australia and the USA - between seven female Australian installation artists and the society of Provo, Utah, BYU, its Museum, local artists and community members of the Latter Day Saints. The artists were invited to respond to Utah culture and place through art work, an extraordinary opportunity to experience many aspects of local culture, return to Australia to reflect, propose and make work and then return to Utah to install. This reciprocal anthropological engagement was made possible by being bound within the less restrictive guidelines and apparent brevity of an art project.
Research Significance	Of key significance was the invitation by an insular community to artists to create an exhibition responding to their culture. The challenge was to keep artistic integrity while being aware of the sensitivities of the local community.
Item ID:	5071
Item Type:	Creative Work (Curated/Produced Exhibition/Event - Exhibition/Event)
Media of Output:	Installation
Event Details:	Outside Inside: Fragments of Space Brigham Young University Museum of Art, UTAH, USA 9 OCT 2003-18 APR 2004
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2009 01:35
FoR Codes:	19 STUDIES IN CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 1905 Visual Arts and Crafts > 190502 Fine Arts (incl Sculpture and Painting) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9501 Arts and Leisure > 950104 The Creative Arts (incl. Graphics and Craft) @ 100%
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