Artist: Judy Darragh
- 17 February 2025
Forest of Dreams @ Two Rooms Gallery
We visited this exhibition as part of the Spring Seminar 2025. Judy Darragh gave us a walk through of the exhibition, almost piece by piece - a 'step into a transcendent, supernatural forest' that 'challenges humanity’s collective addiction to plastic'. Judy is very concerned with the environment and the world's addiction to plastic
As Judy explained, the works started with no plastic, trying to shed her own addiction. Found wood was used to begin with, making hands for two works, but supports for others. But plastic was introduced - how could she refuse an op shop find of hundreds of plastic coloured knitting needles, thinking of her mother. Feathers were collected and in some cases coloured and/or painted. Bird feeders made from pearls and plastic spoons. Every work related to the forest and what you would find there.
The works were arranged on the floor and you were invited to walk through the forest.
It was a delight to have Judy talk us through her exhibition, and the works were a delight, a fun way of reminding us of a very serious subject. A reminder to me that my message does not always need to be serious, sad and desolate.
'Hands 1', 2024 wood, glue 440 x 150 mm
'Pine 1', 2024 foam, plastic 1220 x 200 mm
'Plumage 3', 2024 plastic, foam, feathers variable sizing
'Spoon Feeder', 2024 wood, plastic 500 x 500 mm