SHELTER – Fruzsi Kenez

‘SHELTER’ is a solo exhibition of  illustrations on wood-panel and ceramic sculptures exploring the idea of community, belonging and migration during a time of global crisis.

The two large works on board entitled ‘Why Do You All Look Away?’ and ‘Mycelium Delirium (We Are All Interconnected)’ seek to pull the viewer into the psychedelic storm of figures, with each character so engrossed in their own life that they are unable and unwilling to connect with others, address the plea for help, and see the big picture that is unfolding around them.

These works seek to represent the individuals and communities that are falling through the cracks in the system, with their cries for help ignored and unheard by the government and those around them. If only we would care to check in on each other, reach out a hand to assist a stranger – the world would be a better place.

Both of these works took over 65 hours to complete, with the artist employing an ‘automatic drawing technique’, taking marker to board without a second thought, intuitively creating a rich tapestry of individuals, completely engrossed in their own tiny universe.

These works seek to offer the viewer a gentle reminder that we are stronger together, and if only we would galvanize as a community, focus on locality and sustainability, we would stand a much better chance of surviving both the pandemic, and the unfolding, undeniable climate crisis. 

The artist would like to thank the excellent team at Burra Regional Gallery for their assistance in bringing this exhibition to life and recognizes the Ngadjuri people as the traditional owners of this land.

Fruzsi Kenez