~EyeLashed~

I have an obsession with ordering lots of chaos into grids, either already made lines, dents, grooves or holes. There is an overpowering need to fill them and implant life into it.

I decided that I would imitate skin follicles and poke holes in line with the curves, rows, columns and rings of the wood grain. Sometimes I didn't have to apply too much pressure, I’d let it poke deeply into the surface other times my tool wouldn’t budge and leave a very shallow dint.

It has been carved, chiseled, glued into a standard piece to complete a whole furniture piece. I see it already as a whole, complete form.
A woman’s silhouette.

Plastics with a short expiry date are too easy to find and buy. I am bombarded with the WHY? Why are these products created? Why are their millions and millions? Who is buying them? Does anyone buy them for making artwork? They are made to not last but take space to forever decay in land fills, sink into the oceans and stick to bathroom floors.

The bulk buying strategy has an underlying anxiety to it and need for control when there’s chaos.
The need for every eyelash to be exactly right and correctly positioned.
Making space for repetition is relaxing for me because I know what comes next.
Satisfied by each millimetre choice, the fake eyelashes fitted nicely.
The sequence of the eyelash pattern gives the wooden silhouette motion.

When I look at this artwork it reminds me of having to find ways to constantly manage my discomfort. My autistic symptoms is not something I have control over but forever learning to manage it. Even on the days when I go mute and find it really hard to form words in my mouth and then get them out out loud whilst looking at someone in conversation. Sometimes its just not do-able. My brain is the one who makes the rules.

The front hairs are fanning down.
The side right hairs are curling left.
The side left hairs are facing right.
The back hairs are sticking up.

Seeing all the hairs become alive together, I learn this silhouette has feeling, do they have goosebumps? Are they irritated, sweaty or scared. Why are they so crusty? Are they meant to be pubic hair-like? Its so soft when I pet this make-shift doll. Is it meant to be soothing? I won’t touch it anymore.

This discarded wooden piece of furniture was found in the op-shop, and has now become something alive, it's communicating and is in a state of growth.

Materials: 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm fake eyelashes glued on wooden furniture piece
2025