For (her) age, nullipara III (2019)
Image: Courtesy of Paul Hicks
Whilst undergoing a series of medical treatments, I began to question the amount of single-use waste generated within the medical field. From the disposable garments and medication packaging waste collected, I created a series of miniature quilted blankets; items imbued with notions of warmth, family, memory and the handmade.
Plou tik louey t’wer tom (2016)
(Street of small money made big)
Image: Courtesy of Tara Glastonbury
Collage of Cambodian riel banknotes, krama scarves and plastic bag motifs
Digitally printed on silk by Andrea Komninos @ The Social Studio, Collingwood
2 pieces at 1.3 m x 2 m
Over a series of travels to Cambodia, a recurring source of inspiration has been the patterned tiles that line the sidewalks. In 2009 the remaining residents of Dey Krahorm, an area along the riverfront in Phnom Penh, were forcibly evicted from their homes by the government. This site, now known as Koh Pich (Diamond Island), has been redeveloped into luxury high-rise apartments and a Disneyland-like playground area. A shiny new Australian embassy now resides nearby. But the traditional sidewalk tiles remain. And forced evictions in other areas of Cambodia continue. This artwork was developed from a tile rubbing made whilst revisiting the former Dey Krahorm site in June 2016.
Jem Olsen
jem.olsen.textiles@gmail.com
Instagram: @jemolsen
Ph: +61 437 845 182