Artist Sam Woud talks about her forthcoming installation at this year's amazing Penthouse Mouse program.
How would you describe the work being exhibited at PHM?
SAM: My work for PHM 2010 is titled 'Shelter' and it is a shelter. Dense fabric crocheted from strips of reclaimed clothing and old upholstery swatches has been draped over a structure made of broken lawn furniture and fallen gum tree branches.
What are the main ideas in this current work?
SAM: I'm very concerned about the apocalypse. I feel that it is imminent and inevitable and so I am practicing my survival skills so that I will be prepared when the time comes. At the moment I am focusing on turning the discarded, superfluous objects created as byproducts of our culture of excess into things that will be useful for surviving in our dystopian future.
What kinds of craftsmanship and materials have you used? Do they have a particular meaning or resonance?
SAM: In my art and in my jewellery and wearable art objects I use mainly second hand, salvaged, and reclaimed materials. To me, everything I see is useful and precious. Waste is a horrible tragedy.
For the past year or so I have been working a lot with crochet. My mother taught me to crochet and her mother taught her and so on for no one knows how long. I find that spooky and lovely to think about.
Other than an artist - how do you describe yourself?
SAM: I would describe myself mainly as confused. I have dabbled in many trades and vocations, but I always prefer the ones where you get to do things with your hands. I find it difficult to deal with large abstract concepts and prefer to work on survival mode: food, water, shelter, sleep. I think after the world as we know it ends I will be relatively happy, building things out of the remnants of the old world and growing food. That is if I'm still alive.
How did you feel about the 2010 Penthouse Mouse space when you first saw it?
SAM: I love it! The carpet is such a lovely colour blue! I think it will be wonderful to have a party there.
How does your work respond to the space?
SAM: I think the rich colours of the space will compliment my shelter well. I hope that everyone who attends the show will have a little sit inside it and pretend they are hiding from nuclear fallout or zombies or something fun like that.
What does it mean to be part of this whole event?
SAM: I feel honoured and privileged to be part of this event. The caliber of the artists and designers represented at this year's PHM is extraordinarily high, and I feel stupidly lucky to be counted among them. Things are very important to me, particularly things that are especially beautiful or especially useful. I am glad that there are people in the world, such as the people in this year's PHM, who are committed to creating work of quality, objects that will endure.
SAM WOUD exhibits as part of Penthouse Mouse 2010 along side:
JAMIE BOYS, VOLKER HAUG + CHRIS NASH, JEM SELIG FREEMAN + LAURA WOODWARD, KIRSTY HULM, STUDIO ORGANIC, JAMES CAREY, SIMON BOUCHER, JOEL ZIKA, LANCE DE FRANCE, JOSEPH GRIFFITH + JOSHUA M LONGMORE, SAM STEWART, GRACE CASSIO, BEN DAVIS AND JORAN MONTEIRO
PENTHOUSE MOUSE 2010
Saturday March 6 - Sunday March 21 12.00pm to 9.00pm
The Old Naval and Military Club
27 Lt Collins Street (enter from Coates Lane)
Melbourne
Free entry