Elizabeth Willing

Food is a fundamental catalyst for relationship-building and a mediator in the performance of hospitality. Willing was brought up to believe both of the propositions, which constitute the basis of her studio research. Fluctuating between the sculptural and the performative, Willing adopts a diverse and shifting material palette, one that includes butter, sherbet, timber, wax, potatoes, ceramics, textiles, shortbread and or sedatives.

Bolus was inspired by the cattle gates commonly used in Australia. The work began with a series of drawings made by the artist, in which the gate is blended with the form of the intestine. This work is the translation of one of these drawings into sculptural form through timber carving. Reclaimed Australian spotted gum timber posts have been used in this work, with the imperfections of the timber deliberately retained to reveal clues of its previous life. Willing encourages us to consider modern food production and the ways in which it may affect our bodies.