Golden Teacher
Golden Teacher is an autobiographical, site-specific, sculptural installation. Golden tones and mushroom forms make reference to the Golden Teacher, a Psilocybe Cubensis mushroom, known for its psychoactive component.
Through employing Christian iconography (inspired in part by medieval art and a religious upbringing) the work is centered around the search for something greater than the physical self.
DETAILS
Shrine
The shrine (30 x 29 x 37cm) is hand-sculpted using the clay body, Buff Raku Trachyte. The majority of the shrine is covered in gold leaf, minus the inside and clay-sculpted halo. A porcelain sculpted mushroom sits inside the shrine, alongside six small sculpted flowers affixed to the shrine wall. Two unlit, white candles, are positioned at the front of the shrine.
The shrine is housed upon an octagonal white plinth (47 x 70cm). The plinth has a plywood top where nine porcelain hand-sculpted forms and three white objects (collected from nature) are placed around the shrine.
Gold leaf used symbolically within the shelter
Site – Specific
As the shrine was to be located on a black stage, the space, use of contrast, and conceptual consistency were considered. Six emanating ceramic floor rings were hand-sculpted using two different clay bodies. The evenly spaced rings, are a stylised depiction of a personal vision and build upon the work’s meaning.
Over 300 hand-built ceramic tiles make up the 6 emananting circles
Objects
Nine Small, personal objects, are hand sculptured in unglazed porcelain. Objects include; an anthurium, passed down from the artist’s grandmother; a water bird and turtle for fertility; geometric shapes, representative of paternal loss; new moons of birth; and a coiled sleeping snake to embody the dichotomy between peace and fear. Three objects (collected from nature) are also included in the work.
Nature Shelter – an immersive installation
The work was positioned centre of the stage, relying on a single light source.
Exhibition
The work was shown at The Old Ambulance Station (Namba/Nambour) through the exhibition Nonsensual, presented for Horizon Festival.
Golden Teacher was on display from September 26th, 2023 to October 3rd, 2023.
Golden Teacher on display at The Old Ambulance Station
Making Of
Making of documentation can be found HERE.
Acknowledgement
Golden Teacher was made possible through support from Horizon Festival, with special mention to Aimee Gray, Hannah Clissold, Travis Macfarlane & Charlie (Lighting), and the two other exhibition artists, Jordyn Burnett and Fat Dog for all their lovely guidance and support!
Development Space was also made available through 2nd Space an initiative of ArtsCoast – Spaces for Creatives program by Sunshine Coast Council.
I would also like to acknowledge Megan William and her mentoring, specifically the suggestion to present Golden Teacher independently from other works.
