Kieran Stewart: A Highly Unadvisable Undertaking

Overview

At first glance, Kieran Stewart's new work looks pretty open to interpretation. Its motley collection of colours and silky sheen may remind you of a quilt your grandmother once made, or maybe a pair of particularly gaudy tracksuit pants you owned in the '80s or '90s. Maybe it reminds you of primary school and the gleeful parachute game kindergarteners would play on the oval during PE. This would be a good guess, because the technicolour contraption at Blindside is in fact a homemade parachute — the most dangerous thing you can possibly make in craft class.

Stewart made the parachute himself after a great deal of research and correspondence with professionals. Compiling his responses into an essay ('Parachute'), it's clear the main overwhelming consensus was confusion and dread. But that doesn't impede the work's happier side. Parachutes are objects which convey salvation, hope and second chances. We often work hard for these things, it's just unfortunate they require such a large leap of faith.

To hear more, head along to the artist's talk at 3pm Friday, March 21.