One of Australia’s most prominent contemporary artists, Fiona Hall, is best known for extraordinary works that transform mundane man-made materials into vital organic forms with both contemporary and historical resonances. Her work is crafted with painstaking detail, emphasising the beauty and fragility of the natural world and by way of engaging with environmental issues, colonialism, consumerism and globalisation.
‘Fall Prey’ features a menagerie of trophy-style sculptures of endangered species from the United Nations Red List, rendered in military camouflage. While resembling old-style taxidermied specimens, these larger-than-life creatures are embellished with the detritus of contemporary culture – disturbing signifiers of the cultural and ecological changes that have wrought havoc on their natural habitats and contributed to their plight.
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Until 21 July, 2013
Melbourne
Ailuropoda melanoleuca / giant panda (China IUCN threat status: endangered), 2012,
fabric, wire, plastic, dominoes, US dollars, light globes, electric plugs, 20 x 20 x 20cm
Courtesy the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery
