Artist statement

Matrilineal uses kitchen appliances intertwined with delicate floral embroidery as a testament to the strength of our female ancestors. I gathered kitchen tools from second-hand stores, objects that have a history and that I imagined belonged to mothers, wives, partners and grandmothers; women who held the weight of their families. The embroidered detail shows flowers from both my mother’s and grandmother's gardens. Embroidery symbolises female strength and empowerment, as it is a craft that was traditionally used by women as an outlet for self-expression. This work pays homage to our female ancestors for finding beauty in the confinements of their gendered society and establishing a foundation for the progress of future generations.

Process

Various kitchen tools, ranging in size, shape and purpose, were gathered from second-hand stores. Teabags were carefully deconstructed, to remove the tea inside, and reconstructed to make a base for embroidery. A considered use of colours and techniques were employed to create different images of flowers associated with my mother’s and grandmother’s garden. Some objects were embellished with pearls and beads, gifted to me by my grandmother, strung together with thread and wire. The different utensils and teabags were thoughtfully composed to unify the imagery.

About the artist

Visual art allows one to discover new forms of self-expression through discovering and developing their artistic skills. Art is a journey of both highs and lows, which teaches valuable skills such as patience and the importance of valuing the world around us. Thus, art and creativity should be encouraged across young people. I feel honoured to be one of the recipients of an award which gives young people the opportunity to represent their hard work, and to collectively raise awareness of and encourage the creative skills that exist right across Queensland.