Here and Now: Gold Coast Triennial 2024 Digital Gallery
Erica Gray
b.1992 Sydney NSW, lives Gold Coast QLD
Grown Up Monster, 2024
steel armature, acrylic, poly fiber, material
Image courtesy of the artist
Artist Statement
I'm constantly trying to bring forward childhood memories, attitudes, and emotional excitement. However, endless obstacles seem to obscure this.
This monster represents an unfortunate transformation. Once an excitable bundle of happiness, it's now stretched, awkward, and fairly out of place. Hands that once played and explored now closed nubs, apprehensive of any contact. Even ever-inquisitive-mouth full of awe and wonder lost out to a maw of spite and regret - a funnel now drawing in opinions often nonsensical and unwanted.
I must tame this Grown Up Monster.
About the Artist
Erica Gray is an award-winning soft sculpture and wearables artist, with an interest in traditional sewing and as well as technology-based techniques. She often merges multiple techniques, materials and processes into her wearable and sculpture pieces.
Erica's work has been shown nationally and internationally, including Solid Gold 2021 - HOTA's inaugural Gold Coast Triennial, Swell Sculpture Festival, and Strand Ephemera, receiving the Award for Artistic Excellence 2011 (jointly) and in 2017. Further afield, the World of Wearable Art (NZ), including the stage show and WOW Museum, for eight consecutive years with 13 garments. BDYHacking tech/fashion exhibition (USA) Fashion/Tech Exhibition: Mars Centre of Contemporary Art (RU).
