Louise Ryan is an emerging artist in the midst of completing her Diploma of Visual Art. She has participated in several group exhibitions and exhibited at various galleries including Eckersley's Gallery and Gallery 11. In 2008, she was part of the opening performance of Mikala Dwyer's solo exhibition Monoclinic at Hamish McKay Gallery in Wellington, New Zealand.
Untitled (Tiny amour), 2010, wood, acrylic paint, wool, plastic beads, silk
I have always been intrigued by the idea of personal fashion used as a form of psychological armour - one's vulnerability can be protected by the application of powerful or diverting clothing. (More extreme examples of this can be seen in some African and Papua New Guinean tribes who use both costume and mystic objects for ritual and day to day purposes. Such clothing instantly amplifies the presence of the human being.)
This notion of protection can also be applied from a more superstitious motivation. It is not uncommon for people to carry crystals, heirlooms, lucky coins and other personal totems as a way to feel guarded in their current situation.
With these concepts in mind, I wanted to create a piece that marries the two concepts. A wearable totem that conveys power through the visual strength of the object, from the natural elements it is comprised of, together with the ritual of making the piece itself.
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