In Solo Uno, Claudia Mazzotta encapsulates a year-long journey of introspection, blending various artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, and photography, all delicately interwoven with the timeless motif of the flower. Each piece within this exhibition represents a nuanced reflection on a cherished childhood memory rooted in the simple yet profound act of retrieving a single flower from her Italian mother’s garden.
“My Italian mother grew carnations in the front yard and would send me outside to bring back a flower. As I was running out the front door she would always yell ‘Solo Uno!’. She would place the single flower in a small vase to honour loved ones who had died.”— Claudia Mazzotta.
Beginning with antique Italian textiles, many sourced from her maternal heritage, Mazzotta meticulously crafts each piece by sketching and painting gestural, quick studies of the carnation flower directly onto the fabric. The subsequent embellishment through meticulous hand-stitching further imbues the artwork with layers of depth and meaning. Each embroidery stitch, reminiscent of the loose and gestural quality of the initial sketches, serves as a testament to the fusion of past and present. Through the repetitive yet intentional act of mark-making, Mazzotta bridges the realms of memory and reality, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a narrative woven with threads of nostalgia and reverence.
Solo Uno reimagines the symbol of the flower, a timeless emblem with a rich historical tapestry, casting it in a new light for contemporary audiences. Mazzotta breathes new life into this enduring motif through her multidisciplinary approach, illuminating its inherent beauty and significance with a fresh perspective.
Artist talk
Join us in the gallery on Saturday 8 June at 10.30 am.
Image: Let’s daydream together 2024, Antique textiles, conte pencils, cotton thread, 41 x 41 cm
