exhibitions

ANNETTE DOUGLASS: A WILDERNESS OF SORROW

Main gallery

Catalogue text by Anette Douglass

Annette Douglass’ A Wilderness of Sorrow was inspired by visits to theme parks and related ‘scripted sites’ in the U.S.A. This exhibition drew attention to the artist’s developing interest in narrative and figurative representation as her practice developed from one characterised by references to abstraction and minimalism to an approach more directly engaged with contemporary mass culture. Elements from theme parks – such as artificial foliage, papier mâché animals, theatrical costumes, and found and appropriated elements – were combined in an absurdist diorama with both tragic an comic overtones.