Artist Statement

Stranger Series

The aim of this website is to promote the Body of Work “Stranger” which has now been exhibited in four galleries in three different states. “Stranger” had its inception ten years ago culminating in a selection of 400 images. The narrative of the work is created through the contrasts of daytime, night time, the domestic, the hotel room, the pool, the bathroom and sacred spaces. Yes, it is a bit of an ‘Atlas’!

The images are all A3 size and have been exhibited differently according to my response to the gallery and the place. The body of work has never been exhibited in its entirety and for this reason working with a curator or by myself to hang “Stranger” has always been very exciting. Even though I have commenced another Body of Work, “Stranger” will continue to evolve and I am now selecting small groups of images to enlarge to over one metre in size.

In writing this artist statement I am not trying to follow some standard literary form to convey the metamorphosis of “Stranger”. When I first started taking images I loosely named them ‘Big Night Out’, then ‘Denial of the Soul’ then ‘Give me Chocolate and I’ll tell you about Pain’. These all suggest the exploration of feelings and perceptions and the gelling of ideas over the years.

These images explore a world of transience, banality, denial and aloneness. The sequenced montages are wordless moments where ideas are detached but are not indifferent. At times the images evoke a dreamlike narrative with layers of memories, lushness, desire and silence. At other times I have found myself poignantly disturbed as I viewed the work hung with gallery walls dwarfed by the cross hatching of images. Bringing together this web site I would like you to sit back (preferably with a glass of red wine) and enjoy the gallery. The first images are of “Stranger” hung. Unfortunately you will not see great detail but you will get an idea of the impact of the work. You can then view sequenced images especially chosen for the site, the on line gallery, the new white cube……….

To maintain continuity I have chosen horizontal images. Do not apologise for fast forwarding through the boring bits. Your own life experiences will evoke a different response to “Stranger” which will allow you to focus on that which resonates within. As the perceptual philosopher I have reflected and acted and your response is valued.

Please email me at: puglover98@hotmail.com

This web site came about through a Marketing Grant from the National Association for the Visual Arts with financial assistance from the NSW Ministry for the Arts. I would like to thank NAVA for their ongoing support.

In conclusion I would like to thank the friends who allowed my point and shoot camera in their spaces and all the strangers whose faces have become very dear to me.

© 2005 Deirdre Brennan, Art Business pty ltd RR&I. All rights reserved 21/ 5/ 2005