Tear Jerker
2024
Tear Jerker, a solo exhibition presented with Cool Change Contemporary and PS Art Space in Walyalup/Fremantle at Old Customs House 19 July - 4th August, 2024.
With an exhibition text by Sarah Byrne, designed by Oliva Rawlings.
Tear Jerker reimagines the Cocytus River as a strange, twisted bathhouse. It's a muffled wail of grief and aloneness – of pain and suffering swirling away, under the surface, out of view - held at bay by doom-scrolling and dissociative ceiling-staring – rearing its head in private therapy rooms or ugly crying while trying to brush your teeth in the shower. Tear Jerker tries to entangle you in an eternal karaoke video; you slosh about, chased by dolphins and earworms while dry retching at the congealed, soapy hair clump staring out at you from the abyss. Just relax and cry; things won't be fine, fine, fine.
Massive thanks and appreciation out to Guilhem Thérond at PS Art Space for assisting from Europe while on holiday with family. Thanks to Bennett Miller at Old Customs House for making space available for the venue change, and massive thanks out to Jessee Lee Johns of Prestige Bricks for helping us build one brick at a time. Special thanks to PICA Perth and Miranda Johnson for providing space to create work for the exhibition.