Describe your constellation project ...
Constellation Search is an ongoing tattoo project. I work together with participants to find constellations between freckles and moles and beauty spots on their bodies, which I then map with subtle tattooed lines. It's essentially turning the process of our human search for significance and familiarity in the stars of the night sky towards our own bodies.
How have you rounded up your participants so far?
Through word of mouth, distributed calls for participants, the internet, and art events where I tattoo live.
What is the process of making each tattoo? How did you learn to make them?
My process is essentially 'normal' tattooing, but without electricity. My instrument is a sterilised tattoo needle bound to a pencil, which I use to apply tattoo ink dot by dot. I have gloves, alcohol swabs, etc, to keep it clean. It's slower and more fragile than tattooing with a gun, and I use quite a natural looking brown ink, which I think suits this project perfectly. I learned by tattooing myself, with guidance from the internet and friends. At first I was just using sewing needles!
How do they feel about their new tattoos?
People like them! And other people are always intrigued by the tattoos' gentleness; because of the ink colour and technique they look like very organic anomalies.
What is one of your favourites so far?
'Soaring', on Anneloes. I like this tattoo because Anneloes is my Mum, and it's special to share this project with her. I also like the untitled constellation on Claire. I think it's a beautiful form, and in an interesting spot. Alex's constellation is neat because he performed music under the name House for a long time. It is fortuitous we could find a house form to map.
What are some of the surprising things you've learnt through making these artworks?
That people really love triangles... I've almost done as many triangle constellation tattoos as any other!! A few people have also told me about how they mapped things between their freckles in a similar way during their childhood, which I think is really amazing. I have also learned that some people just don't have freckles. It's crazy! A friend really wanted a tattoo but only had two freckles: one on her foot and one on her neck!
Do you have any other tattoos yourself?
Of course!! I have leaves tumbling down my forearm, a tattoo reminding me to listen, a little house on my ankle, and other things. All of which are done by myself, except for one which was done by my friend Grant.
What are you doing for your BFA this year?
I'm studying in the 'Electronic Arts' studio of my school, but doing resolutely un-electronic drawings at the moment. They're of systems of objects, gifs from the internet, shoes and corporate logos. I'm also developing a HD video installation and working up various small projects like zines and collages as I go. I always work in multiple directions at a time. My solo show mid year is my next big deadline, and when that is installed I'll reassess and work out my final trajectory.
What are some of your favourite things in your studio at the moment?
I'm sharing a studio space with my best friend Claire, so she is definitely one of my favourite things. I also have an ever growing collection of zines, recent highlights being 'Neighbourhood Sacrifice', sent to me by Stephanie Davidson, and 'The Rest is Secret' by Brian Beluga. I also have a nice poster by Joel Evey, and usually a little stash of ginger crunch slice made by my friend Harvey who runs a vegan catering caravan.
How are you preparing for winter?
By booking a ticket to Melbourne!! And scouring op-shops for woollen items.