Deep Rest
This exhibition is a response to an epic adventure Oakey made in October 2023. In search of deep rest, the Kaurna-based artist climbed on her motorbike and rode 1,500km to Yaegl Country, Northern NSW to take part in a solo bush wilderness retreat.
This was a four-day/four-night experience that involved sleeping on the forest floor inside a circle four metres wide: alone, no food, only water for sustenance and a mosquito net and tarp for protection.
The experience was deeply transformative and regenerative. Many of the featured works in this exhibition were realised during these days of introspection and release.
Events:
IN CONVERSATION: OAKEY & CATHERINE TRUMAN:
Sunday Feb 18 – 1130am – 1230pm
DURATIONAL PERFORMANCE:
Sunday March 3 – 10 – 2pm
A four-hour walking meditation in the gallery space
Presented by: Oakey
Oakey is an emerging artist based on Kaurna Country whose practice traverses sculpture, site-specific installations and sound. Working out of Central Studios, she uses a range of materials, creating nuanced responses to both urban and natural environments.
Oakey uses experiences of being fully immersed in diverse natural environments from the Amazon Rainforest to Timbuktu as inspiration for her work.
Since completing her Creative Arts degree with first class honours in 2019 Oakey has been awarded studio residencies at ACE and George St Studios and a Guildhouse Catapult mentorship with Catherine Truman.
Oakey's artwork Reverence was awarded first prize at the 2022 Heysen Sculpture Biennial. Beyond her arts practice, Oakey also serves as lead installer at ACE and installs at other galleries.