volver 2023
Volver was the first joint exhibition with my mum Laura do Prado Martirena and was shown as part of Verge Projects ARTBOX program at the University of Sydney Library Level 3.
About the work
This collection of works represents a moment in time within the ongoing creative and material conversation between artist Paula do Prado and her mother, Laura do Prado Martirena. They both work back into their material archives, through collecting, accumulating and sorting materials including previously made artwork to create something new, re-imagined. Volver is a Spanish word, meaning to return or go back but it can also mean to turn, twist or pivot – to ‘dar la vuelta’ to turn round so that what is hidden or obscured is made visible.
The paper vessels have been made by Laura using recycled cardboard and paper resulting in both functional and sculptural forms. The time-consuming process involves turning the cardboard manually into pulp and using household objects as moulds to sculpt and shape the pulp. After several days, once dry these are then painted. Paula’s work is a re-imagining of circa 2010 series of painted sculptural forms made from off the shelf wooden furniture legs and feet. Connecting the paper and wooden forms are collected natural materials along with small weavings and handmade clay beads made by both Laura and Paula. Like the Pedro Almodóvar film of the same title, there are multiple interconnected themes at play; life cycles, matriarchy, family, womanhood, nature and magic.
About the work
This collection of works represents a moment in time within the ongoing creative and material conversation between artist Paula do Prado and her mother, Laura do Prado Martirena. They both work back into their material archives, through collecting, accumulating and sorting materials including previously made artwork to create something new, re-imagined. Volver is a Spanish word, meaning to return or go back but it can also mean to turn, twist or pivot – to ‘dar la vuelta’ to turn round so that what is hidden or obscured is made visible.
The paper vessels have been made by Laura using recycled cardboard and paper resulting in both functional and sculptural forms. The time-consuming process involves turning the cardboard manually into pulp and using household objects as moulds to sculpt and shape the pulp. After several days, once dry these are then painted. Paula’s work is a re-imagining of circa 2010 series of painted sculptural forms made from off the shelf wooden furniture legs and feet. Connecting the paper and wooden forms are collected natural materials along with small weavings and handmade clay beads made by both Laura and Paula. Like the Pedro Almodóvar film of the same title, there are multiple interconnected themes at play; life cycles, matriarchy, family, womanhood, nature and magic.
Paula do Prado and Laura do Prado Martirena infront of the joint exhibition at ArtBox
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Volver installation and detail images
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