Words: Saskia Edwards
Photos: Jonathan Rae
Sculpture/Collage: Sandra Selig
Sculpture/Collage: Sandra Selig
Paintings: Vernon Ah Kee
Sandra Selig’s works look like interstellar origami - where planets, nature and fractals envelope each other.
The images are from outdated science textbooks. They have the quality of images in old atlases. Their treatment captures the 20th century. I mean the aesthetic has the colours and character of film photography particular to the 20th century.
“[I] find a lot of the images very moving,” says Sandra.
“I like that the text does not reflect that, so it leaves room for me to re-interpret.
“With the folded works, I like the unexpected pairings of images when you fold over a page that has an image on both sides.
“It has multi-dimensional play.”
The works seem like they’re still evolving. While delicately and purposefully arranged, they appear to be in a state of growth. I suppose much like the nature of the universe or our environment.
“I think it's interesting if the work doesn't completely know itself but is partially in a state of trying to do so. It's a puzzling soul, more like a garden.
“Changing in time, reaching for the sun, but also staying in the earth it was planted in.”
The NSW-born artist completed a Masters in Visual Arts at QUT in 1999. Sandra has exhibited internationally, notably in Britain and Japan. Her interests also extend to music as an active member of the underground Brisbane music landscape. Previously Sandra played in The Deadnotes and now she’s half of the lo-fi electronic band Primitive Motion. She’s combined the two mediums.
Sandra partnered with her bandmate Leighton Craig “on Visual Art/music hybrid projects”.
In March the duo will release their second LP to which the artwork will be integral and complementary. In the same month Sandra will exhibit two major installations - one at Sydney’s MCA and the other at the NGV in Melbourne.
Until then, take a look at Sandra’s latest works. They’re kind of calming, natural and nostalgic.
Also at Milani Gallery but with a very different quality - Vernon Ah Kee’s paintings.
Above: Paintings by Vernon Ah Kee
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