The making of Chasing the Disappeared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The markings of the Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) are used to explore cultural loss. It is not until things are lost that we mourn their loss and wish for their return. The markings a symbol of the loss of the first generation of Italians that came to Australia in the 1950’s, with their passing we lose stories, dialects, recipes and memories that marked the early crossings to Australia.

 

The work consists of two small panels 108h x 80wcm which are true to the markings of the tiger and act as talisman pieces to mark the entry to the major panel which is 108h x 800cm w. This eight metre long horizontal drawing will show the Thylacine markings drawn vertically and repeated to create a sense of a seismic reading; a line of fossilized backbones; markers of time; journeys across continents; or sound waves which carry a silent voice or dialects. The work will be drawn to look like fur thus appearing tactile and inviting to the viewer. The drawing is a direct reference to lineal time which the view will participate in as they view the drawing – as the walk along the drawing it will represent time past and time ahead; looking back on what has gone before and ahead to what is yet to come.