One Echidna
Dimensions
700 mm (diam), 3.05 min (duration)
Materials
Sculpture: echidna spines, linen thread and glue and an animation which records the image made by light passing through the work.
Artist statement
‘One Echnida is made from all the usable spines of one echidna. “How many quills does an echidna have? How did you put the black on the ends? Where do you get the quills? How did you get them out of the echidna? How are they joined together?” With these questions a dialogue begins. “They are actually spines, there are hundreds on one echidna, they are modified hair. Echidnas from New South Wales are darker on the tips than those from Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and some of them are blonde.”
The echidna used for One Echidna was killed at the same time as three others. They would have been in a mating trail when crossing the road, as they are usually a solitary animal. The works I make with their quills must be a celebration of their life, otherwise contemplation on their death becomes overwhelmingly sad.’
One Echidna
Christine McMillan
Dimensions
700 mm (diam), 3.05 min (duration)
Materials
Sculpture: echidna spines, linen thread and glue and an animation which records the image made by light passing through the work.
Artist statement
‘One Echnida is made from all the usable spines of one echidna. “How many quills does an echidna have? How did you put the black on the ends? Where do you get the quills? How did you get them out of the echidna? How are they joined together?” With these questions a dialogue begins. “They are actually spines, there are hundreds on one echidna, they are modified hair. Echidnas from New South Wales are darker on the tips than those from Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and some of them are blonde.”
The echidna used for One Echidna was killed at the same time as three others. They would have been in a mating trail when crossing the road, as they are usually a solitary animal. The works I make with their quills must be a celebration of their life, otherwise contemplation on their death becomes overwhelmingly sad.’