Nell: GRAVEST HITS

Overview

Nell: GRAVEST HITS is an anthology of sorts. The artist has pulled together all of the main themes that she has explored in her works thus far. It would be quite easy for an exhibition like this to feel bitsy and cobbled together, but this "best of Nell" idea works well and gives coherent insights into her diverse practice.

The name of the show itself references the 70s garage punk band The Cramps’ first EP (The Cramps: Gravest Hits). One of the album’s songs, Human Fly, resonates particularly strongly with Nell’s works, many of which incorporate the insect. Where there are humans, you’ll find flies, features an open book with a picture of Rodin’s The Thinker covered in plastic flies. The title borrows from a quote by Japanese poet and lay Buddhist priest Kobyashi Issa. It’s a whimsical meditation on spirituality and decay.

There is something deliciously simple and refined about Nell’s practice. Characterised by an ‘elegant conjunction of two ideas’, she expresses herself clearly and without excessive ornamentation. Buddhist philosophy is a great influence and can be seen in many of her pieces, most overtly in Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - the world is both wonderful and fucked. The work features an androgynous figure seated in the lotus position, covered in iridescent flies. A glowing neon rod protrudes from her core. For all that a figure covered in insects should be repulsive, the work is incredibly tranquil and meditative.

Musical themes underpin many of the works. A Short History of Rock ‘n’ Roll - Suicide/O.D.is a morbid list of two categories: one side lists nameless people who have suicided ("the drummer suicided, the sound mixer suicided…"), the other, nameless people who have overdosed on drugs. Several mosaics adorn the walls, made exclusively of record covers. Each cover bears the marks of having been well loved: watermarks, creases, and annotations. It’s a collector’s dream.

If the show leaves you hungry for more Nell, you can head over to Alaska Projects. The artist is also showing work at that artist run space in conjunction with her exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9.

Image: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - the world is both wonderful and fucked, 2013