The exhibition is a manifestation of Chelle’s introspection of her Deaf experience around having always been told “I will tell you later” and “oh sorry I have forgotten now” making her feel excluded from gatherings, particularly in family get togethers, she being the only Deaf person in her family.
Chelle created sculptures that point to those exclusionary surrounds where she had no idea what the conversation was about, so she would go off to read by herself. The darkness of her surrounds is a metaphor of silent worlds: quiet, sensory and absorbing the energies of those moving around her. The white balls with mouths are herself, as she felt like she was rolling around on the floor trying to find out what the conversations were about. Her etchings and drawings give a deeper insight into this and her dance performance art expands her introspection that led to creating the works.
GALLERY ONE
I Will Tell You Later
Chelle Destefano
GALLERY TWO
Cover-up
Leon Rice-Whetton
STRAY VOLTAGE
Where are you from, brother?
Naveed Farro