Location Foyer Gallery Cost FREE Time Daily until early 2020 Our
newest commission for the Duchamp Wall is Communication matters, a
larger than life cartoon by Ellie Hopley, who creates under her label
Shuturp . A prolific digital artist, Ellie is building a reputation
with her playful drawings comprised of unassuming lines and
crayon-like colour for presenting unlikely observations on
contemporary life. Subversion, wit and irony are the tools of the
cartoonist, who has traditionally taken to the page with a black line
to pass commentary on political and social events of the day.
Newspaper cartoons feature figures with exaggerated facial features or
bodies, often accompanied by wry one-liners. For Ellie her audience is
Instagram, a contemporary platform for the artist/cartoonist to make
savvy social observations on daily life. Her work sits somewhere
between David Shrigley and Alexander Calder, where continuous line
drawings and single panels of short text offer monologues or snippets
of conversations. Ellie shares these honestly (and rapidly) in
Instagram’s square format using contemporary language. Everybody
feels different ways in different situations; Ellie’s drawings
recreate the tension in an overwhelming situation. Teasing apart
feelings and reality, she also offers drawings that proclaim messages
of acceptance and positivity. The work is relatable, humorous, and
honest, broaching sexuality, relationships and awkward conversations.
The work created for the Duchamp Wall is bold. It speaks to the rising
awareness of people who live with mental illness, and the need to care
for them. It shows how ill-equipped we feel to care for each other,
but also how hard it can be to ask for help. This cartoon confronts
our responses to others through black humour, highlighting our
weaknesses, ultimately aiming to create conversations. According to
Beyond Blue in any one year around 1 million adults in Australia
suffer from depression and over 2 million with anxiety. “Mental
health can be overwhelming for those who have never experienced it.
It’s hard to know what to say or what to do so it’s usually easier
to do nothing. But instead of ignoring it, instead of being
conditional with your relationships stay, listen, understand.” –
Ellie. The truth is, some conversations just become too big for family
and friends. If you’re worried about someone or yourself and feel
professional support is needed, contact your local doctor or the
agencies below. Take a snapshot so you can make that call. Arts
Wellbeing Collective Lifeline Ph: 13 11 14 (24 hours) Kids helpline
Ph: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours) Ellie Hopley on why communication matters
Ellie spoke to us about her label Shuturp, as well as the meaning
behind this commission. Read more Duchamp Wall At HOTA we’re always
looking for opportunities for local artists. Affectionately known as
the Duchamp Wall (yes, it’s on a wall near a male toilet) this
commission provides a blank canvas for local artists to create
site-specific, temporary artwork and to extend their own practice. The
Duchamp Wall is a nod to Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968); a multi-media
artist associated with Cubism, conceptual art, and Dada. He challenged
the conventions of art making and famously declared a porcelain urinal
as an artwork. ArtLab: Big Art Feels with Ellie Hopley Ellie will be
back on 12 October to run ArtLab | Big Art Feels. A workshop for young
artists who can put all the feelings (big, small, weird and wild) onto
a canvas. Ellie will ensure they are confident in their work and proud
of their creations. Find out more
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27/01/2020 Last update