‘Translating’ political art into language, in particular, can be accused of treacherously softening its blow” Adam Szymczyk
With a warm welcome the National Rug Association is hosting its inaugural altercation at KEPK.
Weaponizing the tufting gun to render imagery of violence into a medium that is commonplace, the NRA is producing work that has a comforting quality to it. The use of a carpet gun has a direct corollary to a symbol of power at the root of intense political and social debate in the USA, not only with regard to the 2nd Amendment but the reported abuses of power leveraged at the Police. Drawing on lived experience with police brutality artist Joseph Burgess (USA) is addressing grief through a personal connection to his native Portland, Oregon as it has become the canvas for overt scenes of violence in 2020.
In Burgess’ words: ‘For me getting into these tufted carpets off the ground has been a way to deal with the compressed and anti-linear nature of my upbringing. I have found the carpet gun to be a timely symbol of peaceful protest and a way to vocalise the complex sentiments of looking on from afar as the United States has frayed over 2020. Through reflecting on this from afar I’ve discovered that the medium has rich history and a beguiling connection to home’. The tufting machine was invented in Dalton, Georgia in the 1930’s.
This body of work was developed during a residency through Metro Arts at the Norman Park Substation through January 2021.
Location: 241 Station Rd Yeerongpilly, unit J2
Bar provided by Backbone
