Penny Byrne is a Sydney based artist who is currently showing in Adelaide. Her exhibition is located at the Jam factory as part of the Fringe. The Show is titled “The Art of the Possible”, and is tucked away in Gallery two. Byrne is most famous for her political artworks constructed from pre-loved ceramic objects. Such objects she procures and manipulates to transmit an altogether different message to the original, rather kitsch, ceramic piece. By repeating certain shapes throughout the work, Byrne provides the viewer with a visual hook. The eye takes note of her small repetitions and patterns she has emblazoned upon the shiny ceramic forms. Her use of colour sometimes mimics the bright ceramic glazes and sometimes it is in direct contrast. However it is the contrast that directs the viewer’s eye about the work. I discovered Penny Byrne’s work in a Craft Arts magazine many years ago and was looking forward to seeing her work in the “flesh” so to speak. This exhibition runs until the 5th of April. It is a small taste of her work but it is well worth a look.
Let’s forget about Global warming and have a cup of tea instead, 2010
“Let’s forget about Global warming and have a cup of tea instead”, 2010 was constructed in response to the then presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s comments throughout her election campaign to “drill baby, drill!” This particular work refers to a speech in which she repeated the comment to a crowd of highly conservative members of the political movement called the Tea Party. Her policy, in particular referred to the possibility of drilling for oil in the pristine Alaskan wilderness. Byrne has used two ceramic figurines and dressed them in the patriotic stars and stripes. The figures sit engrossed in a rather chaotic tea party with oil served as tea. This messy black beverage is being fed or piped to them by a rather shapely green iconic petrol bowser. A golden eagle with wings outstretched, is perched upon a hexagonal shape; the symbol for Benzene also important component of Gasoline. Seven coins reside within the space with dollar signs emblazoned on them. On the roof of the bowser three soldiers keep watch with a forth by the outlet. Oil is dripping from the hands and faces of the main figures as they gorge themselves. Such is their thirst; they seem to abandon all reason as it spills all over them. The female figure stares blankly with a teapot in one hand and a cup in the other; while the male shoves the oil soaked bowser nozzle into his mouth. In terms of political statements, this work delivers a pretty obvious message from Byrne. The insatiable thirst for oil by the U.S.A must continue at all costs, driven by money and power. It is also supported by a political agenda that must satisfy big business. The necessity to guard this resource is reflected in the raised guns of the soldiers. At the time, writes Byrne; the new film version of Alice in wonderland had been released, directed by Tim Burton. This led her to link the mad hatter’s tea party with the comments made by Palin.
Health, Wealth and Happiness, 2010
“Health wealth and happiness”, 2010 are Chinese good luck gods that have been reinterpreted by Byrne in the light of the current political climate in China. The use of visual repetition is a defining element of this work. Soldiers, guns and pandas adorn the figures as if they were crowns or parts of their clothing.
“Health” is shown adorned with little pandas with a fuel pump on his shoulder. It is a representation of the Chinese addiction to fossil fuels and environmental destruction.
“Wealth” is garnished with a plethora of guns and soldiers. A tank with the Chinese star is perched on his shoulder along with a large machine gun. This god represents the massive amount of money spent to develop the formidable Chinese military.
“Happiness” is a god blindfolded by wiring and adorned with an assortment of electrical components. His left hand holds a modest laptop but the picture is obscured by the red star. On each side of his crown we can see further electrical components, the wiring of which seems to bind the figure itself around his ample waist. An additional assortment of coloured wiring erupts from the tops of them like smoke plumes from factories. This figure represents the oppressive internet censorship in the country, often dubbed ‘The Great Fire Wall of China’. Common repeated elements link all three creations; the gaudy colours of the figures are contrasted heavily against the stark black soldiers. There is a pleasant rhythm to the figures,
The decorative features of Penny Byrne’s work provide a pleasant rhythm. Each of her figures entertains the eye as well as the intellect.
http://www.jamfactory.com.au/
Penny Bryne
The political ceramics of Penny Byrne
By harten
March 16, 2012 Artist's websites Artists artworks exhibition Gallery website No comments
Penny Byrne is a Sydney based artist who is currently showing in Adelaide. Her exhibition is located at the Jam factory as part of the Fringe. The Show is titled “The Art of the Possible”, and is tucked away in Gallery two. Byrne is most famous for her political artworks constructed from pre-loved ceramic objects. Such objects she procures and manipulates to transmit an altogether different message to the original, rather kitsch, ceramic piece. By repeating certain shapes throughout the work, Byrne provides the viewer with a visual hook. The eye takes note of her small repetitions and patterns she has emblazoned upon the shiny ceramic forms. Her use of colour sometimes mimics the bright ceramic glazes and sometimes it is in direct contrast. However it is the contrast that directs the viewer’s eye about the work. I discovered Penny Byrne’s work in a Craft Arts magazine many years ago and was looking forward to seeing her work in the “flesh” so to speak. This exhibition runs until the 5th of April. It is a small taste of her work but it is well worth a look.
Let’s forget about Global warming and have a cup of tea instead, 2010
“Let’s forget about Global warming and have a cup of tea instead”, 2010 was constructed in response to the then presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s comments throughout her election campaign to “drill baby, drill!” This particular work refers to a speech in which she repeated the comment to a crowd of highly conservative members of the political movement called the Tea Party. Her policy, in particular referred to the possibility of drilling for oil in the pristine Alaskan wilderness. Byrne has used two ceramic figurines and dressed them in the patriotic stars and stripes. The figures sit engrossed in a rather chaotic tea party with oil served as tea. This messy black beverage is being fed or piped to them by a rather shapely green iconic petrol bowser. A golden eagle with wings outstretched, is perched upon a hexagonal shape; the symbol for Benzene also important component of Gasoline. Seven coins reside within the space with dollar signs emblazoned on them. On the roof of the bowser three soldiers keep watch with a forth by the outlet. Oil is dripping from the hands and faces of the main figures as they gorge themselves. Such is their thirst; they seem to abandon all reason as it spills all over them. The female figure stares blankly with a teapot in one hand and a cup in the other; while the male shoves the oil soaked bowser nozzle into his mouth. In terms of political statements, this work delivers a pretty obvious message from Byrne. The insatiable thirst for oil by the U.S.A must continue at all costs, driven by money and power. It is also supported by a political agenda that must satisfy big business. The necessity to guard this resource is reflected in the raised guns of the soldiers. At the time, writes Byrne; the new film version of Alice in wonderland had been released, directed by Tim Burton. This led her to link the mad hatter’s tea party with the comments made by Palin.
Health, Wealth and Happiness, 2010
“Health wealth and happiness”, 2010 are Chinese good luck gods that have been reinterpreted by Byrne in the light of the current political climate in China. The use of visual repetition is a defining element of this work. Soldiers, guns and pandas adorn the figures as if they were crowns or parts of their clothing.
“Health” is shown adorned with little pandas with a fuel pump on his shoulder. It is a representation of the Chinese addiction to fossil fuels and environmental destruction.
“Wealth” is garnished with a plethora of guns and soldiers. A tank with the Chinese star is perched on his shoulder along with a large machine gun. This god represents the massive amount of money spent to develop the formidable Chinese military.
“Happiness” is a god blindfolded by wiring and adorned with an assortment of electrical components. His left hand holds a modest laptop but the picture is obscured by the red star. On each side of his crown we can see further electrical components, the wiring of which seems to bind the figure itself around his ample waist. An additional assortment of coloured wiring erupts from the tops of them like smoke plumes from factories. This figure represents the oppressive internet censorship in the country, often dubbed ‘The Great Fire Wall of China’. Common repeated elements link all three creations; the gaudy colours of the figures are contrasted heavily against the stark black soldiers. There is a pleasant rhythm to the figures,
The decorative features of Penny Byrne’s work provide a pleasant rhythm. Each of her figures entertains the eye as well as the intellect.
http://www.jamfactory.com.au/
Penny Bryne
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