Axiom Dreaming - From Artist's Mind

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Crista Bradshaw is a proud Wangkumaran Contemporary artist. Residing in Adelaide South Australia, Bradshaw grew up without much of a connection to her Wangkumaran heritage and later came to discover that through the process of colonisation and intergenerational trauma, her family had lost its relationship with their language group. It was only in her late teens that Bradshaw began to look deeper and re-establish this connection.

Bradshaw’s practice has since evolved from a merely surface-level interpretation of Western and Aboriginal art separately, into a much more refined exploration into the inner workings of each and how they relate/fit together to expand on each other. Being of both Aboriginal Australian and European descent, Crista Bradshaw is discovering how these two parts of her identity can unify through an exploration of culture and self. And further how contemporary Aboriginal and Western art can be combined to reflect the healing of colonization in Australia. 

She is a painter experimenting with the practice in all its forms, interpretations, and expansion. She works within the field of Expanded Painting, investigating how this can better represent the ways in which Indigenous and Australian art has evolved and, in extension, the evolution of Indigenous Australia. With in-depth knowledge of Indigenous dreaming, dot painting, contemporary painting practices and techniques, Bradshaw employs a deep understanding of both cultural importance and unity between these art forms.

Bradshaw is currently undertaking her bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Art at the University of South Australia.

In 2017 Crista Bradshaw presented her work as a part of the all-Indigenous exhibition, “Stories” presented by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and supported by The City of Adelaide, at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My practice is informed by my cultural identity, being of both Indigenous and European-Australian descent. I explore the relationship between contemporary Australian and Indigenous art symbols, styles, and stories. This look into how these elements can connect and inform each other help me to understand my sense of self and how I can interact/communicate this to others.

My practice engages with a broad cultural identity within Australia and Indigenous representation/appreciation. But I mainly desire to find connections to both of my backgrounds in a way that will allow me to showcase my identity.

I paint to explore various Indigenous symbolism and Dreamtime stories. I embrace expanded forms of painting, i.e. paint skins, installations, and engage elements of sculpture to help extend the painting from the canvas making it more interactive with the space and people. I experiment, discovering how they can be pushed to become something new and stimulating.

I continue to observe works by artists such as Huseyin Sami, Sarah Sze, Otis Carey and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. I am inspired by the form their works take. Particularly the expanded paintings/installations of Sami and Sze, whose work introduced me to expanded painting and helped me develop a deep appreciation for it.

These materials and ideas allow me to discover the juncture of Australian and Indigenous cultural expression. I am finding ways that they can mould together. These creations allow me to find elements of Indigenous and European-Australian life/art that fit together, complement each other, and can evolve to suit the ever-changing form of Contemporary Art.

Axiom Dreaming is comprised of a series of symbols to represent the origins of Axiom Precision Manufacturing. Axiom was the amalgamation of two companies to become a key figure in automotive part manufacture in South Australia. Since the decline of the automotive industry in Australia, Axiom adapted and converted to a primarily defence manufacturer. This successful adjustment has opened Axiom to many possibilities and pathways. Axiom has shown its capabilities as a leader in manufacturing in South Australia, growing remarkable over the years. Axiom provides many opportunities to talented individuals and maintains long-standing notions of honest hard work. Axiom Dreaming is a depiction of Axiom Precision Manufacturing’s core values, it is a place of growth, prosperity and is active in recognizing the importance of reconciliation and resilience.