Jacqui Malins. Lost lace, 2023. Cotton thread, dimensions variable.
Jacqui Malins
Chutespace
Friday 9 June - Sunday 2 July
Opening Thursday 8 June 2023, 6pm - 8pm
Finding the bleached, layered and ruffled shells of 'mud oysters' in a shell deposit at the Davidson Whaling Station near Eden in 2022, Jacqui Malins learned that the Australian coastline was once fringed with hundreds of oyster reefs, some of them many hectares in size. The majority were destroyed within a century of colonisation, through overfishing, dredging and environmental alteration.
'Lost lace' is the beginning of new work using machine-embroidered lace to contemplate the near-complete destruction of the continent's lacy shellfish reef edging.
Jacqui visited the Davidson Whaling Station as part of a field trip for the Sharing Stories Art Exchange, a creative participatory project focussed on building positive reciprocal relationship between the Canberra community and local regional Indigenous and non-indigenous communities. Sharing Stories was initiated by the ANU School of Art & Design, supported by ArtsACT and is led by Dr Amanda Stuart and Ms Amelia Zaraftis.
