Deflating Fruits

I am using everyday objects that create uncanny resemblances to fruit and vegetables. In this ongoing project I am exploring my interest in fake food and strengthening my techniques in silicone. I am curious about the materials that imitation foods are made of and their purpose as a popular home decor item. This is an imagined fruit, it resembles aspects of various fruits and vegetables including their stems and leaves.

For this project, I have collected exercise balls, basketballs, netballs, footballs, soccer balls and tennis balls. They have been sourced from op-shops, secondhand and recycling stores, hard rubbish and found balls discarded in the Geelong region.

In this work, I have specifically chosen sport and exercise balls, since it reflects on the large sporting and fitness culture of Geelong. A part of Geelong’s identity is sport and fitness, for example Geelong Cats AFL team, sporting stadiums and centres, courts, rivers, fields, ovals and the walking and jogging paths all around the Geelong region. As an autistic woman I have faced many challenges in my life including struggles with my physical and mental health. Through this I hope to indirectly promote positive messages about exercise and raise awareness around mental health issues. As exercise and keeping a good health routine is extremely important to people who experience mental health issues and neurodiversity. By choosing exercise and sporting balls I hope to spark discussions by blending these associations that uniquely reflect Geelong’s culture and identity.


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