Till Death Do Us Part
Janice Gobey
Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough - Victoria
Image: courtesy of the artist.
www.janicegobey.com
While bombarded by red-heart chocolate decorations and intoxicated by the ideas associated with all things love on this 14th day of February, artist Janice Gobey is onto a different vibe. In the country town of Victoria, at Goldfields Art Gallery the mood is sombre with a body of work that confronts the harsh realities that are equally associated with the ideas that underpin this day.
Gobey was born in South Africa and relocated to Australia about 8 years ago. On her profile, Gobey mentions her background in psychology and sociology which feeds her interest in people especially the relationship between men and women. This work is anything but short of those dynamics that lurk at the back of each person’s mind who is romantically involved with another.
I was unable to attend the opening so a week later when I got the opportunity to view the show I had the gallery to myself on that hot Saturday afternoon and I must say what draped the walls was heart-hitting. I got married in 2007 and my wedding gown still hangs in the same suit cover, on the same hanger with the same marks and smells of one of my biggest days. As I quickly moved my eye from one gown to the next, I wondered what story would accompany my gown. I quickly reminded myself – which was not hard, the reasons why I married the man who was in the foyer of the gallery.
Gobey’s choice of display is significantly unsettling; the hanging gowns against the wall, not only do they resemble frail bodies but also reminded me of garments that are poorly cared for in comparison to the grand occasion that they represent.
While viewers might read the artist’s tone as somewhat an attack on the institution of marriage, in the same light; her point of view is indicative of the darker side that gets obscured by the glamour and beauty of the wedding day.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough - Victoria
Image: courtesy of the artist.
www.janicegobey.com
While bombarded by red-heart chocolate decorations and intoxicated by the ideas associated with all things love on this 14th day of February, artist Janice Gobey is onto a different vibe. In the country town of Victoria, at Goldfields Art Gallery the mood is sombre with a body of work that confronts the harsh realities that are equally associated with the ideas that underpin this day.
Gobey was born in South Africa and relocated to Australia about 8 years ago. On her profile, Gobey mentions her background in psychology and sociology which feeds her interest in people especially the relationship between men and women. This work is anything but short of those dynamics that lurk at the back of each person’s mind who is romantically involved with another.
I was unable to attend the opening so a week later when I got the opportunity to view the show I had the gallery to myself on that hot Saturday afternoon and I must say what draped the walls was heart-hitting. I got married in 2007 and my wedding gown still hangs in the same suit cover, on the same hanger with the same marks and smells of one of my biggest days. As I quickly moved my eye from one gown to the next, I wondered what story would accompany my gown. I quickly reminded myself – which was not hard, the reasons why I married the man who was in the foyer of the gallery.
Gobey’s choice of display is significantly unsettling; the hanging gowns against the wall, not only do they resemble frail bodies but also reminded me of garments that are poorly cared for in comparison to the grand occasion that they represent.
While viewers might read the artist’s tone as somewhat an attack on the institution of marriage, in the same light; her point of view is indicative of the darker side that gets obscured by the glamour and beauty of the wedding day.
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Dorcas Maphakela is a writer, visual artist and holistic well-being advocate, using art and words to share knowledge and inspiration on living a full life. She is also a TV presenter, public speaker and founder and producer of the Antenna Award-winning OZ AFRICAN TV (OATV). Alongside her role with Multicultural Arts Victoria, Dorcas co-founded Yo CiTY, a platform that champions the culturally diverse experience through Art & music. Dorcas is an Academic Screen Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. She studied Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Writing.
Her work was acknowledged with a Media Award from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for “outstanding reporting on issues of importance to diverse communities and reporting which contributes to Victoria’s cross-cultural understanding” (VMC). |