Elizabeth Day: Unraveling Trauma Through Art and Activism

In episode 20, we sit down with renowned Australian artist and activist Elizabeth Day. Known for her inventive use of materials such as unraveled textiles, grass casts, and even chewing gum, Elizabeth shares her meandering career path from traditional painting, to working with inmates, to large-scale installations that address themes of migration, trauma, and social change.

Tune in to hear about:
• Her unique approach to textile-based installations
• Public art projects addressing Indigenous histories and social issues
• Transforming everyday materials into impactful works
• Processing personal and collective trauma through art
• Upcoming projects, including a retrospective exhibition

This conversation offers a deep dive into Day’s artistic philosophy, her commitment to activism through art, and her advice to emerging artists. Perfect for anyone seeking insights into socially engaged art practices and innovative material use.

Elizabeth Day is based in Sydney, Australia. You can find out more about her work on her website https://elizabethday.art/ and on her Instagram @elizabethday28 https://www.instagram.com/elizabethday28/

02:42 Migration and Family Background
05:05 Art Education and Early Influences
06:14 Exploring Installation Art
09:54 Life in London and Artistic Awakening
11:39 Return to Australia and First Installations
16:26 Prisons and Social Issues
21:51 Unravelling and Textile Art
23:22 Chewing Gum Paintings and Activism
26:28 Site-Specific Art and Public Spaces
27:27 Material Choices and Sustainability
28:13 Textile Art in the Contemporary Scene
31:49 Grass Casts: A Unique Medium
33:48 Liverpool, Liverpool: A Tale of Two Cities
37:51 Studio Spaces: The Struggle for Artists
44:51 Processing Trauma Through Art
49:21 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

Elizabeth is exhibited by Mais Wright gallery: https://www.maiswright.com/artists/elizabeth-day/

You san see her work in person in “Dreams Nursed in Darkness” at Woollongong Art Gallery until 24 November 2024: https://wollongongartgallery.au/wag-exhibitions/dreams-nursed-in-darkness

Also mentioned in this episode:
Cementa Festival: https://cementa.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/cementafestival/
Anton Holzner: https://www.artnet.com/artists/anton-holzner/
Greenham Common: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenham_Common_Women's_Peace_Camp
Sydney College of the Arts: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/schools/sydney-college-of-the-arts.html | https://www.instagram.com/artss_sydney/
Rose Ann McGreevy: http://roseannmcgreevy.blogspot.com/
Barbara Halnan: https://www.articulateprojectspace.org/project/22-03-W
Robert Smithson: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/smithson-robert/
Long Bay Correctional Centre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Bay_Correctional_Centre
Dreams Nursed in Darkness exhibition: https://wollongongartgallery.au/wag-exhibitions/dreams-nursed-in-darkness
Claire Taylor: https://imaginaries.wordpress.com/
Karla Dickens: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/dickens-karla/ | https://www.instagram.com/karla_dickens/
Leanne Tobin: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tobin-Art-100063743792327/
Megan Cope: https://www.megancope.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/nutmegandhoney/
Fred Williams: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/williams-fred/
Conny Dietzschold Gallery: https://www.connydietzscholdgallery.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/connydietzscholdgallery/
Mais Wright gallery: https://www.maiswright.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/maiswright.gallery
Paul Howard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Howard_(artist_curator)
Waverley Artist Studios: https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/recreation/arts_and_culture/creative_opportunities/waverley_artist_studios
Clothing Factory at Carriageworks: https://carriageworks.com.au/events/the-clothing-store-artist-studios/ | https://www.instagram.com/carriageworks/
The National: https://www.the-national.com.au/
Fauvette Loureiro Memorial Scolarship: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/09/26/fauvette-loureiro-memorial-scholarship-2024-recipients-announced.html
The Longford Project: https://longfordproject.com/
Anna Gibbs: https://westernsydney.academia.edu/AnnaGibbs
Julie Gough: https://juliegough.net/ | https://www.instagram.com/julietasmania
Noelene Lucas: https://noelenelucas.com/
Australia Council (now Creative Australia: https://creative.gov.au/
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery: https://bathurstart.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/bathurstregionalartgallery/

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