I first encountered the astonishing work of Penny Byrne
at the Melbourne Art Fair in 2008,
and was instantly transfixed by them.
A lawyer, human rights activist, and conservator of ceramics,
this Melbourne based artist makes cutting edge political and social commentary through her art.
*the words below each image are the actual titles of the works*
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| Five Minutes to Midnight Tic Toc Tic Toc 2008 |
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| H5N1 #8 2008 |
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| "Let's forget about global warming" said Alice "and have a tea party instead!" 2010 |
Strong statements on Australia's refugee/boat people debacle, environmental, sexual, American politics,
and animal liberation abound!
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| It's beginning to look like Christmas-Island or East Timor, or PNG, or Naru... 2010 |
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'Save me, save me from tomorrow. I don't want to sail in this Ship of Fools -
I want to run and hide, right now' 2008 |
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| It's Murder on the Dance Floor #5 2007 |
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| "If Only Gay Sex caused Global Warming" mused Mother Earth 2007 |
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George and Laura simply love the War on Terror 2008
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Oil Junkie 2008
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War on Terror Waltz 2010
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| How Much Can A Polar Bear? 2010 |
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Shit Creek 2010
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| The Right To Arm Bears 2008 |
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Ole 2010
The titles of these 'altered' vintage figurines
are as important as the objects themselves.
The decorative arts purists can rest assured
that no important originals were harmed
during the making of this art.
Cheap vintage copies need only apply.
I love the synergy of decorative and fine arts colliding with thought provoking political comment.
This is what art should be about!
Images via Sullivan + Strumpf Fine Art Sydney |
