Community News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more.
Camera IconCommunity News - providing readers with the very latest in local news, sport, entertainment and more. Credit: Community News

Artist Hatches new life for humble appliances

Sara FitzpatrickEastern Reporter

BLENDERS, vacuums, bread-makers and microwaves are not usually considered works of art.

Devoid of insight and beauty, they typically remain behind closed doors until a short-lived moment of glory brings them to the fore.

Chilean-Australian creative Marcia Espinosa, however, is dragging the humble appliance out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Melding her catholic heritage and fervour for art, the 46-year-old mother of three has produced an installation where whitegoods are sacred.

"My art is a comment on how material things in our society, especially now, have become objects of desire and worship," Espinosa said.

"My work is a reflection of our materialistic society and obsession for material things. Materialism is everywhere " we idolise brands and fashion and it is crazy.

"I think people's prayers have changed too: many pray to have a nicer car or house instead of important or spiritual things."

Espinosa dabbled in art as a youngster but as she married and had children, it took a back seat.

"Then my family and I came to Australia (eight years ago) and I began creating again," she said.

"In Australia, you can study no matter what age you are. You can change your career, too, if you want " it's great.

"Im going to continue and develop my art. You never finish when you are doing art " every day you have to learn something."

To make the pieces, Espinosa and her friends collected appliances from verges around their neighbourhoods.

As well as whitegoods, they gathered glasses, toys and porcelain figurines to adorn the items.

The Central Institute of Technology graduate is one of 35 artists, fresh out of art school, to present her work at PICA's annual Hatched: National Graduate Show 2015.

Over the years, Hatched has provided a springboard for prolific Australian artists and art world figures.

THE ESSENTIALS What: Hatched: National Graduate Show 2015 Where: Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge When: showing until June 21 Cost: Free