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I had the pleasure of exhibiting at Toowoomba Regional Council's Rosalie Gallery 8th Feb to 5th March 2023. It is a beautiful light filled space located in Goombungee just 30 minutes from Toowoomba. The perfect place for my first solo exhibition.
Mid 2022 I fell down a step late on a Friday night just before bed. I landed heavily on my left foot and heard an ungodly crunch. Pain surged through to body as I lay on the concrete floor. An ambulance ride and 8 hours later, I was home, leg wrapped up and on crutches. I couldn't do anything for the next 9 weeks except sit in different parts of the house. Prior to my injury I was exploring some new techniques for my art. Afterwards I realized, since I couldn't do much else, it was the perfect time to expand on these. I wanted to continue to explore my arts practice and branch out into the unknown. I wanted to exhibit, learn and continue to grow.
This collection was born out of self reflection, societal misconceptions and the wonder for all the tiny worlds held by minute creatures. The thought that these small lifeforms have their own lives to live, their own ways of doing things and whole ecosystems in just a small patch in the garden was fascinating.
STATEMENT
This body of work explores how the behaviors of neurodivergent (ASD & ADHD) people can be perceived as strange and can generate a feeling of discomfort for the neurotypical person and vice versa. I feel neurodivergent 'eccentricities' need to be taken into consideration more often because operating in a world designed for and by neurotypicals is exhausting. Through my experiences of being neurodivergent I present mixed media sculptures of commonly ostracized insects and creatures, generating an environment that addresses the stigma surrounding ASD & ADHD.
Look at a spider or a grub in the garden and observe their habits. They might seem peculiar or eerie but they have a purpose. These different lifeforms live life in a certain way that makes their actions intentional and needed for their wellbeing. Neurodivergent people lack this ability at times due to judgment and prejudice from the outside world.
The way my brain operates means I’m drawn to the details in things, not just the overall. I notice the little hairs on a spider’s legs or the shimmer of a wing and find those details beautiful and interesting. These pieces have been developed through years of play and multiple different techniques including embroidery, sewing, sculpting, paper mache and painting.
I see my child growing up with a formal diagnosis and notice the differences between how I was viewed while growing up and how my child is now. Looking back and seeing my childhood in a different light I also see my own struggles mirroring and paralleling those of my child. However, I believe that our differences are not to be feared but celebrated.
All artworks, text and photographs © Elise Heather Loxley 2023