Ricky Swallow's "Tusk"
Originally uploaded by Clinton_Hayden
I went to see the Ricky Swallow exhibition 'The Bricoleur' today at the NGV.
His ability to make wood seem like other materials, cloth, bone,paper, even flesh is amazing. I wished I could touch the sculptures, to see if it felt like the materials they represent. I've never really been interested in sculpture, but Swallow's works lends themselves to 2 dimensional works as well (this might be due to the fact he was a VCA Drawing major).
"Tusk" is beautiful. Two life size skeletal holding-hands form the shape of a heart, eternally in bone. The title reminded me of the Fleetwood Mac song 'Tusk' : 'Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay? Why don't you ask him if he's going away?' 'Don't say that you love me, Just tell me that you want me' and I wonder if this was intentional, Swallow seems to be obsessed with that era of music.
Swallow's water colours seem like a brilliant side line to his preferred method of sculpture. I think the thing I like most about Swallow is his multi disciplinary practice. I can never tie myself down to one media, so it kinda gives me a bit of hope...
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