Materfamilias

Materfamilias

This installation is developed from Christina's personal genealogical search to locate her unknown paternal grandmother Norah, a singer / performer and mother of five boys. Norah was a much loved and appreciated member of the Broken Hill Community.

The Materfamilias work is a journey that takes Christina into Norah's life and beyond to the copper mines of Blinman, Flinders Rangers, South Australia.

Christina selected salvaged domestic copper wiring as a working material to produce a series of crocheted wall sculptures. She then worked individual female skeletal bones and sewed these together to form furniture pieces and keepsakes such as a chair, dressing table, cradle and purse.

As in many families, furniture is handed down through the female lineage. These furniture items whisper truths, secrets and stories more colourful in contrast to historical genealogical documentation.

Download catalogue here (pdf 459kb)