Carly Dodd: Uniting contemporary and cultural practices
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Carly Dodd: Uniting contemporary and cultural practices

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Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri artist Carly Dodd uses the mediums of jewellery, weaving and installation to highlight racism and colonialism.

Based in Kaurna Land, Adelaide, Carly Dodd first discovered jewellery in high school through a metalwork class, but despite learning to weave from a young age, it wasn’t until 2020 that she connected the two mediums.

“I have always viewed weaving techniques as a way to make functional, pragmatic objects and tools. I never viewed them as ornaments until recent years,” Dodd says.

Rose (2019). Boxing gloves, punching bag and acrylic paint.

By combining contemporary and cultural practices, the artist lets her art call for cultural reflection. The inspiration behind her works comes from her personal experiences and those of her peers. “Racism and the effects of colonization impact every Indigenous person,” she says.

As a result, Dodd’s art explores political topics, which she describes as an “easier way to start a conversation.” “I’ve been able to use it as a way to start a conversation about important issues that Indigenous people face,” she says. “It’s easy for someone to look at a piece of art and form an opinion, whereas it’s harder to sit down with someone and talk to them about racism.”

His works, Sticks and stones (2020), uses photography, mirrors and text that reveal racist comments superimposed on the viewer’s reflection. “I had put out a call on Instagram for Indigenous people to share racist comments they had received throughout their lives, and there were a lot of comments that were quite difficult to read,” she adds.

Lovers Knot Crown (2022), part of the Crown Jewels collection.

In the recent series Crown Jewels (2020), Dodd references the British monarchy after studying the jewellery worn by the royal family. Rather than a direct copy, the artist translated the royal iconography into woven replicas, the result sparking discussion, blending his two passions, metal and weaving.

“I’ve had different conversations with non-Indigenous people and Indigenous people about the idea of ​​wearing royal-inspired woven jewellery,” she says. “The conversations revolve around the fact that jewellery is a symbol of colonisation, and most have commented that… in reference to the monarchy, it’s very powerful and it’s a way of reclaiming what was taken.”

In the face of the ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous people in Australia, Dodd’s art serves as a reminder that horrific cases are not isolated. By focusing on herself and the viewer in her wearable art, she calls on us all to do more and continue the dialogue while bringing cultural practices to the forefront of contemporary art and design.

Quick Questions with Carly Dodd:

It’s your ultimate designer dinner party: which four guests are you inviting? Paul McCann, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Denni Francisco and Margaret Rarru Garrawurra.

What is your favorite work of art? Any dreamy painting of grass seeds by Barbara Weir. I love the movement, detail and stories attached to these works.

What is your favorite quote about design? “Stitch by stitch, circle by circle, weaving is like the creation of life, all things are connected.” Aunt Ellen Trevorrow

Website http://loconrepta.biz.id

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