Mahnken, Dior (AUS, New South Wales),
Rare Earth
rare earth
Rare Earth is about consumption and Earths fragile skin ,stripped, exposed yet still regenerating
ARTIST STATEMENT
dior mahnken
Dior Mahnken is a contemporary printmaker and mixed media artist located in southern Sydney. She makes works of a contemporary nature using paper, fabric and plastic with a lot of stitching.
As an artist I am interested in materiality and process. I make work that is tactile ,that makes people lean in and want to touch. These are often sculptural with printed matter stitched to a substrate, paper or fabric. I often collaborate with found objects bringing a spontaneous energy to the piece. Image transfer from magazines add an extra layer of mark making and bring subtle messaging from the text. Themes include advertising, skincare, aging and what it is to be comfortable in our own skin. I have a playful, meditative approach to my work. I am hugely inspired by the natural world, especially the patina of time. My studio is an inspiring, light filled, airy space full of all my collected treasure. The walls are continually changing as I pin up new works, with my press central to the space. I believe as an artist you have to be continually working and experimenting, pushing the boundaries of your mediums and experience. This brings forth a lot of random and uninspiring works but it can also produce moments of clarity that take you in new directions.