LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Analyse and interpret themes, concepts and ideas in the work of Gracia and Louise and discuss how they have used materials and techniques to realise their intentions.
- Apply the art elements and principles to an interpretation of Gracia and Louise’s work.
- Examine Gracia and Louise’s work through the Interpretive Lenses and discuss the use of collaboration in their practice.
- Identify and analyse the presentation of Gracia and Louise’s work in Melbourne Now.
INTRODUCTION TO GRACIA AND LOUISE AND MELBOURNE NOW
Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison have been collaborating for more than twenty years. As artists and wildlife carers, their practice often concerns the natural world, addressing themes of conservation and biodiversity through artists’ books, zines, collages, prints, drawings and, more recently, digital collages. The remaking of things, a new work commissioned for Melbourne Now, is a large-scale collage depicting a pocket of restored eucalyptus forest habitat. It is their largest installation to date.
The exhibition Melbourne Now celebrates new and ambitious local art and design. It highlights the extraordinary work of more than 200 Victorian-based artists, designers, studios and firms and includes a range of disciplines, from fashion and jewellery to painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, video, performance, printmaking and publishing.
INTRODUCTION TO GRACIA AND LOUISE VIDEOS
In the following six videos, Gracia and Louise discuss their sources of inspiration, their shared passion for wildlife conservation and their long-term collaboration. They explain how they represent ideas and communicate meaning in their work and talk about their favourite art making tools, with some helpful tips for artists along the way. They also describe the way they applied materials, techniques and processes to create their work, The remaking of things, for Melbourne Now.
These videos can be viewed sequentially or individually. They can be used by students for independent study or for group discussion in the classroom.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Outline the main themes and ideas in the work of Gracia and Louise. What ideas do they want to communicate in their work?
2. Identify and consider Gracia and Louise’s use of materials and techniques. How have they used materials and techniques to represent their ideas and achieve a particular style in their artwork?
3. Consider the Interpretive Lenses in an analysis of Gracia and Louise’s work. How might you interpret their work through the Personal or Cultural lens?
4. In the video ‘Collaboration’, Gracia and Louise describe the role of collaboration in their practice. How has collaboration shaped their practice generally? How did collaborating with others contribute to the creation of The remaking of things? What challenges might they have faced without the opportunity to collaborate with others for this work?
5. Discuss Gracia and Louise’s use of the art elements (such as line, colour, shape, texture and form) and principles (like balance, contrast, movement, proportion, repetition, rhythm and scale). How has this contributed to the distinctive aesthetic qualities of their artwork?
6. What role do Gracia and Louise hope their artwork might play in society? What role do you think it plays in society and culture?
7. How does Gracia and Louise’s art practice make you feel about your work? What have you learned that you might apply to your creative practice?
FEATURED WORK
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES