"Chemical Agent"

The Library Art Space, North Fitzroy - Melbourne - 25 May to 19 June, 2010

Chemical warfare has been implemented as a tool of destruction on a mind-boggling scale from the Vietnam War to the Middle East conflict, which still rages today. ‘CHEMICAL AGENTS’ asks why? This new contribution of work includes installation, painting, and three-dimensional objects and delves into the individual psyches of five contemporary Australian artists, on themes of chemical warfare and the enduring nature of human destruction at our own hands. Dominic, Mai, Kelly and Van formed the A-17P Collective early in 2009. They recognise art as a mechanism that is sensitive to everyday realities.

Kristine McCarroll's work, specifically produced for this exhibition (picture above), is titled "Legacy". It is dedicated to the memory of the past and present victims of Agent Orange. It is an installation piece made of 3 layers of transluscent fabrics, overlaid with real image of a legless child, stnecil silhouette of plane bombers and embroidery, The piece is 85 cm wide by 120 cm high. Suspendd from a ceiling, it appears to floati in mid air.