Lucy Barker

For this work I have revived 5 existing benches around the Bondi - Tamarama walk by adorning them with colourful, vintage polypropylene chair webbing, a la beach chairs and folding aluminium chairs of lesiure. They become a reminder to stop, slow down and ponder how things have changed, and what may have stayed the same.
Installed Nov 3rd - Nov 20, 2011, Bondi.

The last 2 days, Oct 31st and Nov 1st, have been spent arduously installing Sea Change for Sculpture By The Sea 2011.  It was a very long slog.  However, the work, which consists of 5 existing benches woven with colourful vintage chair webbing, looks fantastic and the response has been incredible, so it was all worth it.  I am extremely grateful to all my helpers particularly my mum (child care), dad (engineering and power tools), husband (all rounder) and sister Karina (weaving). They are located near the beginning of the walk at the Bondi end so come down and take a look, it’s going to be a great show this year! (final images still to come)

Sunny days, sandy hair, the sea breeze and smell of sunscreen, watermelon in terry toweling jumpsuits… For this ongoing body of work I have taken the classic folding aluminium, webbed chair from the 1950s and revived it for our modern lives, bringing back to life and into our lounge rooms all that it has come to represent.

Each abstract design is carefully woven from colourful vintage chair webbing over wooden frames, reinterpreting a design classic for today. Available for purchase or commission.

I’m pleased to say that I will be back in Sculpture By The Sea this year with my work “Sea Change”. The image below gives you an idea of what I’ll be doing to a selection of benches around the base of Mark’s Park at Bondi in the first half of November.  Polypropalene “Lawn Chair” webbing applied to existing aluminium benches.

A nonsensical and concerning look at our relationship with nature and the weather.

2010, mixed media, each approx 12cm h x 8cm w x 8cm d

Sculpture By The Sea, 2010

Constructed almost entirely from clothes drier lint it is comprised of hundreds of sea urchin-like shapes that range in size from approx 40cm diameter down to 3cm diameter.  The ‘urchins’ are grouped in 7 ‘pods’ that hug the rocks and range in size from about 40cm sq to 2m sq.

The work is situated on the rocks of Mackenzie’s Bay (in between Bondi and Tamarama) from October 28th - NOv 15th 2010.

Many thanks to Valia laundry Services in Marrickville and all my family, friends and businesses who have contributed, it was a real group effort and would not have been possible without your help collecting.

Sea Cells, 2010, drier lint, polyester thread, chicken wire

Brain Child 611

wood (plantation pine), oil paint and resin.

4.5m w x 2.5 m d x 36cm h

Giant sized Cuisneaire Rods, (counting blocks dating back to the early 1960s) lie on the ground fresh from their box. Barely touched they represent the enormous possibilties of a childs mind, a frozen moment on the cusp of life.

Special thanks to Art Spectrum for material sponsorship and Midcoast Timber Centers for all their help.