AMY JOY WATSON

Year Without Boys is an installation of new sculptural work, examining the human propensity to anthropomorphise objects from a highly personal and idiosyncratic point of view. The title suggests this point of view could belong to a young girl who has conjured up surrogate companions; a gathering or party of candy-coloured humanoid bows to inhabit her fantasy world.

These objects appear to dance, play, hug, kiss and cry yet the fluidity of their movements belies a painstaking and laborious process. The works are inventively constructed through the delicate hand-stitching of finely cut balsa wood segments. The act of tying a bow, such a quick and elegant process, is laboriously and lovingly formed through the unlikely pairing of wood with needle and thread. The wood is stained with washes of watercolour, which Watson elicits from it a satin, ribbon-like quality.

This project has been supported by Arts SA|Government of South Australia

Pair, 2011, balsa wood, watercolour, polyester thread, 80 x 65 x 35cm

Wallflower, 2011, balsa wood, watercolour, polyester thread, 110 x 55 x 70cm

Solo, 2011, balsa wood, watercolour, polyester thread, 95 x 60 x 60cm

Crimper, 2011, balsa wood, watercolour, polyester thread, 42 x 70 x 58cm