Tall Tales (Caller) 2024

As part of the series titled, Tall Tales inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's well-known fairy tale, The Nightingale, my work titled Caller delves into the concepts of presence and absence through the fairy tale conventions of magic and the power of dreams. Expressed through colour, light, and form, Caller tells the story of a rare and radiant bird whose freedom is stolen by a selfish young prince who imprisons it in a cage. Despite its captivity, the little bird dreams of escape and ultimately returns to serve the prince on its own terms. The sculpture's black gloss surface symbolises the depth of the bird's captivity and the contrast between darkness and the radiant light of its dreams.

Hand modelled ceramic, auto enamel and resin 50 x 50 x 80cmd

Cautionary Note 2023

This scene, with its vivid and intense coloration, evokes a sense of immediacy and presence. The work's urgency is akin to a single frame from a stop-motion film, frozen at a pivotal moment, or an illustration by Gustave Doré, whose seminal works famously set the tone for fairy tales. Yet, the fairy tale within "Cautionary Note" remains intact. The piece is intended to conjure its own narrative, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in a multitude of interpretations by posing the following questions: Can the observer bring this scenario to its rightful conclusion? Will they become the rescuer or the bird, and if so, who will speak the opening lines of this transitional narrative?
Cautionary Note is an inflatable sculpture fabricated with an internal LED lighting system to allow the work to transition from matte white to a glowing, vivid blue and pink. Constructed in a polyester fabric with internal supports, it stands at a height of 4 x metres.

Note: The text above was written by the Artist. No modification was made by COCA.

Michael Doolan

Australia

https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/about/our-people/academic-staff/michael-doolan.html

Biography:
Michael Doolan has made a remarkable impact in the realms of sculpture. installation and contemporary ceramics. His work is celebrated both in Australia and internationally. Doolan has disseminated his innovative ideas across professional communities, non-arts networks, and institutions through a diverse array of national and international conferences, curated exhibitions, public lectures, workshops, publications, public art projects, and festivals.
Doolan's creations have been critically acclaimed in numerous prestigious national and international publications and media platforms, underscoring their significant influence and the high regard in which they are held.
He has successfully secured funding through nationally competitive research grants and has been honoured with several notable national and international awards. Additionally, Doolan has been commissioned by numerous prominent private and public institutions to create esteemed public artworks.