Ali griffin : artist

To coincide with the 20th anniversary of the first Toolangi Sculpture Trail, Ali was selected as one of 12 sculptors to participate in an artists residency in Toolangi Victoria, Australia. The artists spent 14 days living and working together in the Toolangi State Forest, to produce new sculptures for the Toolangi Sculpture Trail. Made predominately from materials found in the surrounding bush, the sculptures now reside,and are on show, until they are overtaken by nature.

‘Precious’ is Ali’s response to the Toolangi Forest and wider environmental issues.

PRECIOUS

Seemingly worthless, burnt logs, placed in a simple structure will protect us from the elements, whilst a golden glow from within evokes wonderment, wisdom, understanding and enlightenment. The sculpture holds within its octagonal shape the ultimate balance between material and invisible forces, and the infinite.

The smell of fire residue permiates the space triggering conflicting memories of winter home fires, and summer bushfire season.

Precious 24ct gold leaf reflects light from the darkness in stark contrast to the carbon black of the burnt logs, and focuses the mind on the precious nature of what surrounds us, and is in jeopardy.

If we destroy our environment, our home, we will be void of protection and wonder… 

Asking the question, ‘what needs to happen for us to value what we already have’, the work aims to alert us to the value of the environment that surrounds us.

When does an object hold purely sentimental value? Does something ever hold only monetary value, or are there other forces at play? When does something become ‘precious’ for not so obvious reasons? And how do you put a price on the object?

 In this world when the dollar seems more important than ever, Ali Griffin seeks to challenge this state of living. 

If we all lived according to our inner values, what would this world look like?

Brief:
Commissioned by Yarra Ranges Council to create a Memorial seat in Queen’s Park, Healesville as a place of reflection in response to the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires. It aimed to provide a place of reflection for the community to acknowledge the trauma of a town surrounded by fire.

Response:
A 3.5 metre semi-circular seating area, made from gold plated metal. Words direct from the community reflected sentiments of an emotional and traumatic time, are laser cut through the seat. The cut out words produce shadows on the ground, which dance with the dappled sunlight through the trees in this beautiful park.

Budget:
$10,000

The seat was made from steel, and included community’s responses to the statements ‘I will always remember’, and ‘I never want to forget’. Completed November, 2013.

Parquetry of Honour

By Ali Griffin 

(2018; Reclaimed Memorial Hall Auditorium parquetry flooring tiles, neon.)

Surrounded by their community, Healesville’s fallen and returned soldiers are honoured by name on a simple wooden parquetry floor tile imbued with the history of The Healesville Memorial Hall. 

The Healesville Memorial Hall has served as a gathering place since it was built after World War 1 where returned soldiers and community members met, danced and even fell in love, whilst remembering those who were not lucky enough to return to their home town.

When I learned of the shocking and largely un-reported statistics that surround women who are killed by their ‘intimate partner’, I was compelled to make this series of domestic objects.

In 2022, more than 50 woman were killed in Australia by their intimate partner. That’s one woman killed EVERY WEEK.

I aim to point out the apathy that many are guilty of, the media’s role in reporting, and our politician’s responsibility in what seems to be a silent epidemic.

There are 7 artworks in the series, as it takes on average seven attempts for a woman to leave a relationship where she is experiencing family/domestic violence, before she can leave for good.

For more information: https://www.mamamia.com.au/violence-against-women-australia-2022/ For information, support and counselling contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit the 1800RESPECT

Decommissioned CFA fire-hose, gold leaf, clamps.

Water, with the preciousness of liquid gold pulsing through a fire-hose helps put out fire. There must also be gold in the veins of the people who risk life and limb to keep our lives and property safe from fire. Let’s value the resources we have, both in our environment and our community.

It takes a team to save a village.

ALOHA - INSTALLATION 2019

Decommissioned fire-hose, gold leaf, snow domes, burnt objects, LED neon.

With the country he governed going up in smoke, billions of animals dying, thousands of houses burning down, and entire communities becoming homeless, the then PM Scott Morrison thought it was OK to fly to Hawaii on holiday. With the increasing forces of climate change taking hold over Australia, would Scott Morrison ever become an advocate for the country he governed, in the same way Pacific Island leaders asked for his help? Nope.

YAVA Gallery

Yering Sculpture Exhibition and Awards 2013 - Finalist

Medium: Snow domes, coins, water

In ‘Triple Bottom Line’ I look at the effect climate change will have on the people, environment and economy of 10 countries at risk from rising sea levels, if climate change continues as predicted.

The sentimental value of a souvenir purchased as a reminder of a place, may be the only reminder of this place if it is lost to the sea.

The process of collecting mass produced souvenirs illustrates the absurdity of the things people find valuable.

Fortyfive downstairs 2020

Charcoal frottage on Hosho paper, Gold leaf. Dimensions: 2 x (1.6m x 48cm) 1 x (1m x 1.3m)

The intrinsic value of a tree alters each time its shape and meaning alters, and depending on who is viewing it. As a living organism and part of a forest, it holds a greater value than it holds on its own. However the monetary value of a single tree is what most humans seem to be interested in.

A charcoal frottage represents the commercial value of a tree. The gold leafed points signify the area that fits into an economically viable shape which can be cut, transported, and sold most economically. What is leftover outside this area is discarded as waste. What’s left in the bush is a forest of stumps, soon to be burnt in the name of ‘regeneration’.

These are homes to ecosystems that support life, including our own. These thoughts conjure images of burnt blackened homes on our TV screens after what are becoming all too familiar bushfires.

McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery - Senini Art Prize Finalist

Ali Griffin’s ongoing investigation into ‘what needs to change for us to value what we already have?’ continues with this series of gold leaf lined plastic shopping bags. 

Plastic shopping bags are being treated as a single use throw away item, ending up in landfill, our oceans, sea life’s stomachs, and subsequently, our own bodies.

Even though we are slowly outlawing single use plastics, there are still billions of bags being produced and discarded every single day. 

Griffin suggests that if we treat existing bags as a valuable resource, they may not end up where they cause havoc in our environment, and instead be recycled into other usable items.

Ali Griffin’s artwork requires stillness to experience the full sentiment behind the work. She asks you to take the time to let the work flow over you and challenge your thoughts about value and beauty.

Iconic symbols paired with materials steeped in meaning, show us there is still hope, still time... copper - the only element found in every living organism; tapestries - deteriorating as a single thread represents a species going extinct and the planet unravelling around us; mirrors - reflecting that we are wired to find symmetry attractive; souvenirs - reminding us of the absurd nature of collecting mass produced plastic ornaments as a memento of a presonal experience, giving little thought to its production or the future of the place it was purchased. 

We live in a world where nature competes for habitat with man-made. Beauty fights with necessity, and there is a constant battle between want vs need.

Ali’s works are tender and thought provoking, and, if we let them, will remind of the possibilities, both positive and negative, and asks ‘what needs to change for us to value what we already have?

I burnt a decommissioned CFA helmet in a pottery kiln to demonstrate the fragility of life, including those that put their lives on the line to save our lives and property.