FURTHER DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

By Benjamen Judd

One of our favourite artists, Sal Higgens, has announced a brand new exhibition at the Salerno Gallery opening on March 6.

After her recent brilliant and successful show, Threshold, Sal has continued delving in to the human psyche and our mythologies and folklore surrounding the Underworld. Titled, Down The Rabbit Hole, the show provides a new foray into the abyss. The works on display are from both the body of work produced there and new paintings from her Auckland studio.

Focusing on the way in which we experience a connection to ancient stories on a psychological and philosophical level she has begun literally collaging images found images from discarded nursery rhyme books, redrawing them and repeating them in her paintings. Using cutting as a form of authorship, editing them, removed from their context, placed on a new stage, she becomes the author of a new story and introduces new protagonists.

Sal’s voice has changed tone in these works. It is perhaps more whimsical, experimental, yet remains challenging and unflinching. Paring down and refining the images, she maintains an ardent gaze on an elusive ancient narrative as she pursues it down the rabbit hole.

Opening night for Down The Rabbit Hole is on Thursday March 6 and the show will run until March 23. For more information, head to the Salerno Gallery website here.