Reversal of Fortune
The opportunity was too good to resist. When a group of local artists realised that the date for their upcoming show at Clifton School of Arts included the once-a-century date of 22.02.22, they realised they had the title for their show: Palindrome
The opportunity was too good to resist. When a group of local artists realised that the date for their upcoming show at Clifton School of Arts included the once-a-century date of 22.02.22, they realised they had the title for their show: Palindrome.
Derived from the Greek terms for ‘fast’ and ‘return’, palindrome means a word or phrase that can be read backwards as well as forwards, number for number or letter for letter (such as ‘never odd or even’ or names like Anna and Hannah).
The six artists exhibiting in Palindrome each use a different medium to express interpretations of the word in all its playful ambiguity. Some take the theme literally, others use it more loosely.
In the case of textile artist Michele Elliot, her stitching can not only be read from left to right or right to left but in some cases her embroidery has a back and a front that are almost indistinguishable, thanks to an enviably neat hand.
Lizzie Buckmaster Dove’s often poetic work creates a dialogue of natural elements as she explores her interest in place, and the push-and-pull of the cycle of the tides, in two photographs and one installation of sea-tumbled red bricks.
Jeweller Melinda Young has created a neckpiece that plays with the paradox of sinking or swimming in its use of similar-looking shore-gathered bricks and floats, inviting the viewer to decide which is which.
David Roach works with cedar, painting, scarring and charring it using an ancient Japanese technique called Shou Sugi Ban. In this project, he’s looking at ways to create repeated rhythmic forms that can be read forwards or backwards.
Mignon Steele is presenting oil and acrylic works that are painted twice, with elements of distortion and repetition.
Catriona Stanton’s watercolour and gouache paintings feature reflected images in which she explores the theme of nature as her doppelgänger or double.
Whichever way you look at it, Palindrome is a show not to be missed. The date won’t come around again in our lifetimes.
Palindrome 22022022, Clifton School of Arts, 18-27 February. Enquiries: 0406 613 866
