Review - Touched

Review by Lauren Hutchison

Convention says we do not ‘touch’ artworks on display, but for Molly Cook’s exhibition, the compulsion is definitely there. Whether they emerge from out of the wall, or cover the floor, Cook’s tactile reconstructions of everyday waste invite investigation and interrogation.

With mounds of rubbish aplenty, tube party lighting on the floor, and nails in the wall for no apparent reason- at first I likened the exhibition to a reconstruction of my over-crowded “drop-in centre” Fitzroy share-house. But this is so much more than that - and it is clear that Cook has a lot to say within the densely filled space.

Like a magpie, bringing bling to her nest, Cook fills the George Paton Gallery with a feast of shiny detritus. Clever lighting heightens the sculptural aspect of her forms, casting shadows rich with narrative. But this is not merely the story of converted waste, Cook’s woven wires and packing foam enabled patterns somehow allow craft and art to meet.

Personal highlights are the coffee stained colour cards and the wall of ‘bits’ (you will know it when you see it) – a seemingly effortless display of vacuum-clogging sized bits. Among them: a piece of string, a squashed bottle cap and lolly wrapper – really, its hot.

But don’t take my word for it - let Cook’s work touch you personally (but only in a consensual, respectful way) until 21 August, 11am-5pm Monday-Friday in the George Paton Gallery, second floor, Union House.