“Drafting Season is a painting, video and performance work, inspired by American painter Jackson Pollock. The moving image sequence unravels an abstract narrative that is inspired by the idea of the drafting season in AFL, where clubs receive picks based on the position in which they finish on the ladder during the season. Using costumes, dance sequences and camera techniques inspired the movements, uniforms and approaches to filming used in Australian rules football, the video generates visually striking narrative passages that gesture toward the idea of players being picked for a team. These passages are intercut with imagery of Sarah-Mace Dennis, who performs in the work, throwing paint in the same configurations of the dancers moving across the field. Drafting Season was conceived, directed and edited by Sarah-Mace Dennis, and developed in collaboration with a professional film crew and a host of very talented performers including actors and dancers. The work was created as part of Kick Off, a curated program of contemporary video art. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund – Sarah-Mace Dennis.
