i belong, u belong, we belong 2022-23

Reclaimed parquetry from flooded Townsville home, reclaimed keys, steel and laser cut text.

139 x 34 x 33cm (on stands)

After conversations with my friend Sally, who worked with homeless people, I created three small homes titled, ‘i belong, u belong, we belong’. Despite their refined appearance, these homes are impractical for actual living. They are supported precariously on metal sticks and provide no shelter from the elements or privacy, symbolising our current housing crisis.

 Each home features laser-cut text that reads, i belong, u belong, we belong’. This text is a comment on the language used by major corporations like iPhone, YouTube and WeChat, who try to make us feel like we belong to their consumer-driven world. However, my use is to emphasise that everyone deserves a home and a sense of belonging.

 My sculptures serve as potent symbols, representing the fragile nature of our living situation and echoing the stories and experiences of individuals like myself who have been uprooted from their homes.