“Inspired by elements of nature and wild beings, this series of work by Mari Hirata explores the peculiar balance between the natural and the artificial, or rather the notion of creating life through the synthesis of the synthetic. Combining traditional darkroom methods with a contemporary twist, the photogram works convey forms with movement and fluidity by the attempt to exercise and, at times, question the balance between controlled arrangements and uninhibited spontaneity. Positive and negative spaces are captured by light as well as the manual application of the developer solution – and in the profound change that comes about, the shoes effectively disappear and reappear as something else. In conjunction with the photograms, WILD SOLES also introduces a new body of sculptural works which will see the high heel shoes step towards (or back to) the third dimension. This new path into the wonderfully complex world of sculpture was made possible through the JUMP National Mentoring Program, and my mentor, prominent Australian artist/sculptor Alasdair Macintyre. For the past ten months I have been working closely with Alasdair to develop a series of work which explore the limitless possibilities (and challenges) of this new art form. The pieces in the show continue to reflect and meditate on the ideas of nature and life, with lingering thoughts on the notion of beauty and its fragility.”
Mari Hirata, Wild Soles, until Thursday 27th October, Retrospect Galleries, www.retrospectgalleries.com
