Patricia Piccinini was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1965 immigrated with her family to Australia in 1980. After getting a degree in Economics, she then went to Melbourne where she studied Fine Art’s and majored in drawing.
Piccinini works with a wide range of media being, sculpture video, drawing, installation and digital prints.“Piccinini’s art rides the crest of a tidal wave of change, made possible through the completion of the mapping of the human genome and other extraordinary developments in science and medicine. Yet it is ordinary emotions that are its driving force.” (Linda Michael, We are Family). Piccinini’s work “Hello Possum” explores and addresses concerns about biotechnology. “Piccinini uses plastic, paint and computer pixels to mimic the generative potential of biological substances”, “a runaway science.” (NZ Art Monthly, Jane Silver Smith, January 2003)., video, drawing, installation and digital prints.

The first reaction that you get from these quite graphic sculptures, tend to shock you simply beacuse it looks so realistic. These "googley" bulging eyes, rubbery wrinkled skin, pig like snout, short stubby ears, long buck teeth and deep black eyes all seem like features of a kids dreamland monster, but the fact that these moulds look so life like, my second thought was, could these be trying to resemble us (humans) in a way. Hinting that, self modifying the human body with plastic surgery, cloning, genetic manipulation and DNA testing is un-natural although normal these days. She has used enlightenment to portray in a negative way, how human beings are vulgarising our "natural apperance" with new scientific approaches, we are slowly destroying our genitic make up in the process, it's a catch 22 really.

This work naturally makes you sympathize for the little creature although i feel it should be getting you use to what will soon become "the Norm" in many years to come, if we continue on this path of self mutilation, just to look different or better than the person beside you

Humanist Art-week 3 assignment

Lynette Wallworth's work 'Evolution of Fearlessness' is an emotional interactive work that interacts with the viewer in a heart touching and almost heart-breaking way. The work is set up so the interaction is through touching the screen with your hand connecting with the women speaking.
Wallworth's work portrays human relationships and how we treat nature and past experiences. It explores the ideas of how our actions and reactions in life can shape and mould who we are as an individual human being.

This work (exhibition) is a tribute to women from around the world who have survived extremely dangerous conditions such as war, concentration camps and other violent inhumane situations. The women are sharing their stories with us, saying where they are from and how they have been affected by violence and how they have managed to rid it of their lives, escaping the harshness and cruelty found in a war torn country or violent life threatening lifestyle, to make a new beginning and just accept the past for what it is, giving life a fresh start somewhere else.

This picture shows a woman standing firm and confident throwing up the Abhaya Mudru, which is a symbolic or ritual gesture. “Abhaya” by itself meaning “fearlessness” hence the name of this work, and Abhaya Mudru symbolizes protection, peace and eliminating fear. The gesture itself is a raised right hand at shoulder height, arm bent and palm facing out, as if to say “hi”.

The work itself suggests to me that Lynette is trying to say to the world, it’s up to us to make our lives better and improve society. It is using these women as examples for people if they find themselves in difficult situations they feel they cannot get out of. It is almost as if she is letting most of the world know, we’ve actually got it easy, as in, most of our problems in life never stretch as far bad as, watching your family die, or even watch your country get taken over.
In addition it suggests that mental strength is vital in life if you are trying to overcome an obstacle, whatever it may be, “nothing is impossible”.

Humanism is a system of thought concerned with human affairs and ethics, pro-motion of human welfare. (Oxford dictionary)I think Wallworth’s works has offered us an idea of humanism, making us think more about our actions, that we can protect, create peace. “Finding a way to be stronger and to deflect the unforgiving elements encountered daily”.