7L Excursion

Excursion review by Caitlin Wright 

On Monday the 14th 7L went to Platform Arts to study Samantha Thompson’s exhibition ‘The Invasion’ with Ms Mullen-Walsh. Platform Arts is a gallery and performance space in the old Geelong courthouse that exhibits work from all kinds of artists. This installation is displayed upstairs and consists of chairs, couches and crates piled towards the centre of the room adorned in colourful fabric creatures. These creatures are made to resemble marine life and are all assembled from second-hand fabrics. They have various details including abstract faces, pom poms, paint brushes and clay spikes that make them all unique pieces. My initial interpretation of this artwork linked to the idea of invasion in the form land pollution and/or bacteria. Especially covid and how it invaded our society and our offices making us forced to work from home and the general implications of that lifestyle. I later discovered from the artists notes that this installation was actually a statement about fast fashion and its effect on our marine life. This proves Samantha Thompson’s exhibition is a great experience as it makes viewers think deeply about the issues presented in this installation in a unique and engaging way. I think this exhibition would be enjoyable for all ages because of its abstract, vibrant playful and immersive environment as well as its integration with meaningful messages. 

Samantha’s website: www.samanthathompson.com.au

‘Amber Drops’ by Tahlia Davis.An ekphrastic poem in response to the butterfly window. 

Yellow drips down my window,

Honeysuckle drifts flooding the space.

Butterflies complete my shadow, 

Flying up the stained-glass face.

What had it overcome?

Rust turns to brass, 

Progressively into the night,

As they disappear out of sight.

Patterns swell, and take over,

See me fly to find my clover. 

Spring leaves grow below blooming so others can too,

Reflecting onto the butterfly’s persona, helping through the grew.

Once a caterpillar, brown as can be,

Now like a dandelion, sitting in the blooming tree.

‘The Invasion’ by Leilani YauAn ekphrastic poem in response to Samantha Thompson’s ‘The Invasion’

I see creatures

I hear gurgles

I feel me

I taste sadness 

I touch power

I see madness 

I believe they’re lost. 

I am found. 

Annie Mullen