Louise Kerr’s exhibition, Faithful and Wild, explores the importance of dogs, both in our own domestic lives and in the wider environment.
Wild dogs have roamed the Blue Mountains for thousands of years. In the national parks that surround our homes, the dingoes (or Warrigal) live and are occasionally sighted. The Wild Dog Mountains area to the west of Katoomba has a range of geographical features named after dogs including Mount Warrigal, Mount Yellow Dog and Dingo Creek.
Dogs have been revered by ancient civilisations, reaching as far back as the Palaeolithic era when images of dogs and dog-like creatures were painted on the cave walls.
Domestically, we have a complex relationship with our precious friends. They are our companions, protectors and work-mates. Ever faithful, they never give up on us. The dog has been inextricably sewn into our lives for thousands of years and Kerr’s work investigates how deeply it is embedded in her own and the lives of others and the place we live.
Kerr’s artistic practice is process driven and begins with the documentation of observations as drawings in visual diaries. These drawings form the basis for her sculptures. The works themselves are made using fine twine and are hand sewn with cotton thread – an ancient technique known as ‘coiling’. This is a technique and a process closely associated with basket making, which allows Kerr to produce large, three-dimensional forms as well as flat works in relief. The completed works are painted and sometimes, clay and hair is applied.
Kerr lives and works in Springwood and has been exhibiting since 1979. Faithful and Wild is on at Blue Mountains City Art Gallery until January 13.
