Artist Statement // Melting Glaciers are the embodiment of instability for the world and all its species in this time of climate emergency. These ancient timekeepers are in flux as time unwinds. The dissolving ancient airpockets within these frozen archives are released and reabsorbed within the warming atmosphere. The cryosphere is disappearing as we breathe. With their melting we lose the ability to learn from the past in order to navigate the future. Through the Looking Glass Darkly, reflects a personal interior/exterior response of an imperfect vison of this reality. The erosion of a future memory haunts the present so how does one imagine an alternative pathway for our Descendants? To acknowledge and engage in the uncomfortableness of a dissolving world can we then move forward?

Gail Hocking was born and raised in Aotearoa mountain terrain. She has a strong connection to the land and natural environments. Hocking graduated with a Master of Visual Arts (Research) from the University of South Australia in 2017. She completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) in 2014 at the same institution and a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Curtin University in 2007. Hocking has exhibited widely, both internationally and in Australia. Hocking’s projects have been supported by numerous grants from Arts SA. Hocking is the recent recipient of Breaking Ground Award and has undertaken residencies at Cultivamos Cultura, in São Luis, Portugal; Vancouver Arts Centre, Western Australia; Kangaroo Island Palace of Production and Central Art Studios, South Australia. Academic Papers peer reviewed include Disturbing a Silent Voice -InASA Conference, Curtin University WA and FACTT, Lisbon Portugal.

@gail_hocking_art
gailhocking.com

Denise Nolasco writes about Gail Hocking in Neoterica 2024.

Gail Hocking, Through a Looking Glass Darkly, 2024, video still, duration 3:02.
Gail Hocking, An uncomfortable Ache, 2024, polyester resin, corded rope, 90 x 32 cm. Sam Roberts Photography.