2021 Grad Show

Liam Black

AUArts Grad Show A4BF774D-4C89-4CC5-9A23-AD94D59BEFC4 2

Painting

www.instagram.com/liamsdead/

I create assemblages made of found materials and images to develop ruptures for slowness to fill. This act of resistance – against the speed at which capitalism currently drives the social, political, and economic climate – allows me to confront the anxiety it produces. I apply friction to this speed by participation in nothing; Nothing as in nothing productive to a capitalist’s views on productivity, monetization, and profit.
By doing this form of nothing you stand in opposition to a productivity-obsessed environment.
I propose we invest time into one another and the materiality that surrounds the every day instead. This call for refusal allows for life to be a counter friction to the machine that perpetuates speed-infused anxiety while prompting opportunity to rest. I want to prioritize images and objects that I define as contributing nothing to capitalist logic in their associations with my own process of cooperation with nothingness.
My artwork offers a time for rest and a space in which to reflect on the value of our personal relationships and the ordinary things that we hold dear.

Let's make like a tree and leaf! *Butterfly Emoji 22x30inch steel etching, featuring small chair w/ plaster honey bottle in the shape of a bear, vinyl text of a round head holding a frog carefully reading " * gently holds "
Anti-Speed - Just wanna sit down painting Silkscreened images mounted on a white panel, supported by a fern within a Canadian Tire bucket and a small chair.
Smiley Face's head in a muddle Silkscreened images mounted on a white panel, supported by two slightly deflated yellow beach balls with smiling faces facing outward.
Feeling Fragile - text from grandmother - Silkscreened image of text from grandmother; reads " This is one of the volcanos it still flows lava underground and into the sea. What you see is the steam from inside the earth. Interesting stuff. Hope you are well. Love you dearly. Graphite text below reads " LETTING SOME SUN_SHINE IN" Hung on a bent-wood fixture, attached with fluorescent orange and purple coffee stir sticks.
* Frog Emoji x 3 Silkscreened images mounted on white panel, framed with pink.

Anti-Speed Meme Silkscreen Paintings

Miscellaneous paintings/sculptures focused on slowness, participation in nothing, memes, and staying in touch with a softness. All work created in 2021.
:)

Anti-Speed Meme Silkscreen Paintings AUArts Grad Show LiamBlack_AUARTS_1
Let's make like a tree and leaf! *Butterfly Emoji 22x30inch steel etching, featuring small chair w/ plaster honey bottle in the shape of a bear, vinyl text of a round head holding a frog carefully reading " * gently holds "
Anti-Speed Meme Silkscreen Paintings AUArts Grad Show LiamBlack_howtositpainting02
Anti-Speed - Just wanna sit down painting Silkscreened images mounted on a white panel, supported by a fern within a Canadian Tire bucket and a small chair.
Anti-Speed Meme Silkscreen Paintings AUArts Grad Show IMG_5932
Smiley Face's head in a muddle Silkscreened images mounted on a white panel, supported by two slightly deflated yellow beach balls with smiling faces facing outward.
Anti-Speed Meme Silkscreen Paintings AUArts Grad Show DSCF5798
Feeling Fragile - text from grandmother - Silkscreened image of text from grandmother; reads " This is one of the volcanos it still flows lava underground and into the sea. What you see is the steam from inside the earth. Interesting stuff. Hope you are well. Love you dearly.
Graphite text below reads " LETTING SOME SUN_SHINE IN"
Hung on a bent-wood fixture, attached with fluorescent orange and purple coffee stir sticks.
Anti-Speed Meme Silkscreen Paintings AUArts Grad Show MEME PAINTING1
* Frog Emoji x 3 Silkscreened images mounted on white panel, framed with pink.