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An Australian Ark 2005 mixed media Dimensions: Variable Selected for Blake Prize touring exhibition 2005 The installation An Australian Ark explores the idea of a journey to a harsh and ever changing environment. The Australian landscape can be viewed as a highly spiritual place, offering poetic moments of justice and injustice. In An Australian Ark we see a troubled figure of a newborn in what appears to be a boat. Is the figure casting a nervous eye over the harsh Australian Landscape for the very first time? The mast of the vessel throws a crucifix like shadow over the landscape. Is it to ward off the evils that lay ahead of the newborn? The newborn while alluding to the image of baby Jesus also evokes the idea of sacrifice. Within their practice of making art, both Jessie Cacchillo and Craig Waddell, explore their own religious beliefs, with a view to contemporary issues in Australia. An Australian Ark is an installation created with discarded found objects resurrected from the Australian landscape. The connection both artists have with the land are reinforced by these objects and the artists spiritual connection with each element. The work has then been playfully constructed to create various metaphors. These are not limited simply to the biblical story of Noah's Ark, but also to the voyage by European settlers to the new world of Australia. The fragile newborn while directly referring to Jesus in His manger also alludes to the idea of the opportunities and challenges faced as creature begins the journey of life.
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