Jodi Blokkeerus is a Melbourne based visual artist, who’s work looks at a sense of place and escapism. She is interested in places which seem ordinary and every day, yet hold a sense of mystery about them. She searches for that feeling of familiarity, yet somehow forgotten, like a dream or memory.
Exploring her own imaginary landscapes, Jodi creates these hybrid creatures out of discarded and abandoned objects, as well as clay, fur and material. She is interested in the history, memory and time captured within these rusted old objects; forgotten, but brought back to life in a different form.
Within this exhibition Jodi has created these glassed domed creatures which act as mini time capsules. Under each dome is it’s own little universe with untold stories to discover. Stories which may have laid dormant and undiscovered for many years. The origin of these strange creatures and the elusive Professor Featherstone, who mysteriously disappeared. Who was he and where did these creatures come from?
Professor Levi Edgar Featherstone was once a world renewed scientist, until in the mid 80’s when he gave a presentation at the World Fair in Tsukuba Japan; he believed would change our reality forever! Instead, he was met with anguish and hostility. The world didn’t seem ready for his insights and discoveries. Shunted from the scientific community; this once considered genius, was now regarded as mad and dangerous. He became a recluse, living far away from society, in the wilderness of Tasmania; supposedly alone, or at least that’s what the world believed.
Some 30 years later, there were some who had heard the rumours of this once great professors presentation, becoming curious as to what happened that day. The expedition was led by a young scholar named, Blue Jay Pebblewing, and after many months of searching, she discovered what was left of Professor Featherstone’s laboratory; all was seemingly abandoned with no sign of Professor Featherstone. What she discovered lays before you within this room. The creatures from unknown origins and studies. Where did they come from and how did they come to be part of our world, and what happened to Professor Featherstone?
No Vacancy Gallery – Federation Square Project Space
17 to 29 January, 2017
Melbourne
Jodi Blokkeerus, Mr Stitch & Bobbins (detail), 2014, mixed medium, 52 x 32 x 32cm
Jodi Blokkeerus, Robot projections (detail), 2016, mixed medium, 52 x 32 x 32cm
Courtesy the artist
