Sophia Childs
Sutured surfaces
17 July to 11 August, 2024
Homestead Gallery 2
Sutured Surfaces is a term Sophia Childs developed in her honours year. It names her methodology of machine-stitching recycled and reclaimed textiles to form textured, lively surfaces that is then layered with acrylic paint. Childs uses Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as a metaphor to think about how to reanimate these materials through suturing, joining, juxtaposition and layering. This collection of paintings come from her 2023 painting honours work.
Artist statement
Sophia Childs (b. 1999) is based in Canberra (Ngunnawal Country). Her practice involves using discarded clothes, towels, and textile scraps, which she cuts up and sews together. These become lively surfaces on which she builds upon layers of acrylic paint that she drops, scraps, presses and brushes on. Childs’ approach embodies a DIY approach that challenges traditional notions of mastery.
Childs completed her painting honours in 2023 at the ANU. At the Emerging Artist Support Scheme Awards she received the ACT Legislative Assembly Award, the EASS Acquisition Award and the Strathnairn Arts Exhibition Award. Additionally, she received the Gray Smith and Joan Scott Prize and a Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation for her honours research.
Sophia Childs, The Emissary (detail), 2023. Photo: Sophie Dumaresq
Sophia Childs, That Which Survives (2) (detail), 2023. Photo: Sophie Dumaresq
Sophia Childs, That Which Survives (1), 2023. Photo: Brenton McGeachie