Events

The exhibition, curated by Heather Galbraith, responds to concepts of ‘plasticity’ and ‘the fold’ explored by French philosopher Catherine Malabou. Lived-experience is changing in a highly industrialised world where work and play blur in ways problematic for wellbeing. How might crafted works offer catharsis and call our attention to urgent issues through unexpected, impolite, and humorous means, and can they address forms of toxicity in our current world.

All materials in Competitive Plastics have been found in op shops, discount stores, industrial supply outfits, and brought into conflagration with one and other. Most were originally designed with usability in mind. Monobloc chairs sit alongside mannequin limbs, high heeled shoes and funnels, some are used, others are freshly minted. They are reconsidered, repurposed, upended, stuffed, skewered, wrapped, and layered, with awareness of their material baggage and complicities. The works question our default value systems.

Judy Darragh: Competitive Plastics and Tender Brick: The Material Epiphanies of Peter Hawkesby are the last exhibitions to be presented at CoCA Toi Moroki in collaboration with Objectspace in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. These exhibitions mark the end of a 12-month programme partnership, which has seen the organisations work together to develop and deliver exhibitions and public programmes.