Elizabeth Day: Unraveling Trauma Through Art and Activism

In episode 20, we sit down with renowned Australian artist and activist Elizabeth Day. Known for her inventive use of materials such as unraveled textiles, grass casts, and even chewing gum, Elizabeth shares her meandering career path from traditional painting, to working with inmates, to large-scale installations that address themes of migration, trauma, and social change.

Tune in to hear about:

• Her unique approach to textile-based installations

• Public art projects addressing Indigenous histories and social issues

• Transforming everyday materials into impactful works

• Processing personal and collective trauma through art

• Upcoming projects, including a retrospective exhibition

This conversation offers a deep dive into Day’s artistic philosophy, her commitment to activism through art, and her advice to emerging artists. Perfect for anyone seeking insights into socially engaged art practices and innovative material use.

Elizabeth Day is based in Sydney, Australia. You can find out more about her work on her website https://elizabethday.art/ and on her Instagram @elizabethday28 https://www.instagram.com/elizabethday28/

02:42 Migration and Family Background

05:05 Art Education and Early Influences

06:14 Exploring Installation Art

09:54 Life in London and Artistic Awakening

11:39 Return to Australia and First Installations

16:26 Prisons and Social Issues

21:51 Unravelling and Textile Art

23:22 Chewing Gum Paintings and Activism

26:28 Site-Specific Art and Public Spaces

27:27 Material Choices and Sustainability

28:13 Textile Art in the Contemporary Scene

31:49 Grass Casts: A Unique Medium

33:48 Liverpool, Liverpool: A Tale of Two Cities

37:51 Studio Spaces: The Struggle for Artists

44:51 Processing Trauma Through Art

49:21 Current Projects and Future Aspirations

Elizabeth is exhibited by Mais Wright gallery: https://www.maiswright.com/artists/elizabeth-day/

You san see her work in person in “Dreams Nursed in Darkness” at Woollongong Art Gallery until 24 November 2024: https://wollongongartgallery.au/wag-exhibitions/dreams-nursed-in-darkness

Also mentioned in this episode:

Cementa Festival: https://cementa.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/cementafestival/ 

Anton Holzner: https://www.artnet.com/artists/anton-holzner/

Greenham Common: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenham_Common_Women's_Peace_Camp

Sydney College of the Arts: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/schools/sydney-college-of-the-arts.html | https://www.instagram.com/artss_sydney/

Rose Ann McGreevy: http://roseannmcgreevy.blogspot.com/ 

Barbara Halnan: https://www.articulateprojectspace.org/project/22-03-W 

Robert Smithson: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/smithson-robert/ 

Long Bay Correctional Centre: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Bay_Correctional_Centre 

Dreams Nursed in Darkness exhibition: https://wollongongartgallery.au/wag-exhibitions/dreams-nursed-in-darkness

Claire Taylor: https://imaginaries.wordpress.com/ 

Karla Dickens: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/dickens-karla/ | https://www.instagram.com/karla_dickens/

Leanne Tobin: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tobin-Art-100063743792327/ 

Megan Cope: https://www.megancope.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/nutmegandhoney/

Fred Williams: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/artists/williams-fred/

Conny Dietzschold Gallery: https://www.connydietzscholdgallery.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/connydietzscholdgallery/

Mais Wright gallery: https://www.maiswright.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/maiswright.gallery 

Paul Howard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Howard_(artist_curator)

Waverley Artist Studios: https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/recreation/arts_and_culture/creative_opportunities/waverley_artist_studios

Clothing Factory at Carriageworks: https://carriageworks.com.au/events/the-clothing-store-artist-studios/ | https://www.instagram.com/carriageworks/ 

The National: https://www.the-national.com.au/

Fauvette Loureiro Memorial Scolarship: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/09/26/fauvette-loureiro-memorial-scholarship-2024-recipients-announced.html

The Longford Project: https://longfordproject.com/ 

Anna Gibbs: https://westernsydney.academia.edu/AnnaGibbs 

Julie Gough: https://juliegough.net/ | https://www.instagram.com/julietasmania  

Noelene Lucas: https://noelenelucas.com/ 

Australia Council (now Creative Australia: https://creative.gov.au/ 

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery: https://bathurstart.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/bathurstregionalartgallery/

The Installation Art Podcast is a show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation. The host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and showing work that is site-specific, ephemeral, large scale or immersive.

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