Hayley Stevenson
Kincumber High School
IN A WAY, WE ARE THE SAME
Drawing
Coloured pencil, charcoal, ink on paper
I have an affection for the Betta fish (Siamese fighting fish). Its tolerance of low oxygen levels and poor water quality has created a misconception that it is an ornamental display piece, and it is forced to endure a confined life in a glass bowl. During lockdown we underwent a phase of isolation and many people experienced stress and vulnerability. The Betta can have similar feelings. My body of work examines the confusion and helplessness of both the COVID-19 lockdown periods and the Betta fish. Captions in Thai script and self-portraits express my interpretation of those emotions.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the artist Novandro Manik.
Marker's Commentary
This highly refined and exquisite set of drawings explores the metaphorical connection between the isolation and the confinement in the life of the Siamese fighting fish and the state of mind experienced by individuals during lockdown. The diverse, colourful representation of the five fish appear as free flowing forms, gracefully floating on the sandy coloured paper. The handling shown in the pencil work across the small-scale imagery demonstrates maturity, nuance, and sophistication, while curatorially positioned alongside calligraphic text, connecting cultural, Asian origins. This row of fish, inviting close, playful inspection contrasts to the bottom row of monochromatic pencil work within the four self portraits. The facial expressions suggest reactions, personal mood and a mindset framed from experiences in social isolation. This is reinforced by the considered composition and the glancing eyes and emotion directed at the viewer. The introspective portraits are punctuated by the calligraphic stamp, symbolising the fighting fish, repeated in red ink, reinforced and united by the centrally located woodblock icon of the Siamese fighting fish.