Going to see a Tree about a Saree

Artist's Statement - Inside the Space Assignment
Introduction to Art

I have chosen to create a piece which draws on the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude in its use of textiles and Andy Goldsworthy in its use of natural resources as a framework. In addition, it is based on the work displayed on the Enchanted by India Tumblr depicting Indian saris embracing trees, henna designs painted on bark and other typical West Asian symbols communing with nature.

I call it 'Going to see a Tree about a Saree' to honour both a common Australian phrase and the Sri Lankan national dress - the saree.

My piece differs from them in that the relationship I have with the landscape is one of an Anglo-Saxon origin. The park where this installation was put up is a place of communion between people from Anglo-Australian heritage and Sri Lankan heritage, which is reflected in my family (I am Anglo-Australian, and my husband is Sinhala-speaking Sri Lankan).

I chose a tree which held the form of a female in its grace and curves, and tied a saree around it in the most basic of styles (it was easier arranging the saree on the tree than it was to tie one on me!). I ensured that it had the appropriate number of pleats in the skirt, and that it had at least three pleats over the 'shoulder'. This deciduous Anglo-European tree in a Sri Lankan saree shows my family's makeup as they both stand on Australian soil, and how this is reflected in the community around us which also uses this communal space.

Welcoming myself back...

I haven't managed to keep my blogging going for a while - ever since Geocities shut down back in 2010, as a matter of fact! I used to find keeping my blog simultaneously cathartic and self-flagellating, so we will see how this one goes. I've started it mainly to keep all my art stuff together - the things I'm making for my courses, the things I'm creating as part of GeekyKnits, the things I'm coming up with to decorate my classroom and artspace at home.

So hello, to both you - whoever you are, reading from afar - and me.

Allow me to introduce myself. My latest online alias is WhiteKhocolate after I married the Khocolateman earlier this year. We live with our dog, Dalek, and about a hundred dust bunnies in places I can't vacuum. I teach in an alternative learning environment in suburbia, and I have dabbled in a number of different artistic mediums over the last few years. Right now I'm doing Introduction to Art through Penn State University's MOOC platform, and am enrolled to do a number of other courses over the next six months. I'm also studying for my Diploma of the alternative learning environment I teach in (yes, I am a fully qualified, certified, registered teacher by the state of Victoria, just adding another feather to my cap, just in case you were wondering).

So, let's hear it for being determined. From Tuesday (after the long weekend) I am going to be going a little bit crazy and revamping my life to be more creative, disciplined and FUN!