Fan, 2016

In Fan, I explore collecting, fandom and the passions shared by art and sports enthusiasts.

Curious about what motivates people to collect, I conducted clay-modelling workshops with collectors of art and sporting memorabilia. Through our conversations, I discovered that collectors often use remarkably similar language to describe their passion, regardless of what they collect.

I responded by creating playful sculptures that combine iconic artworks with famous athletes. Rodin’s The Thinker, for example, appears in a full-length swimsuit recalling Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe. Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog becomes tennis player Lleyton Hewitt performing his signature ‘C’mon’ gesture. Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly merges with Cathy Freeman’s Olympic bodysuit, while Ai Weiwei’s sunflower seeds meet AFL player Levi Casboult’s ‘double cobra’ pose.

I framed the sculptures with blue-and-white porcelain flowers inscribed with phrases about collecting gathered from conversations during the workshops. Together, the works connect art and sport through their shared languages of passion, loyalty and devotion.