Witching Hour will materialize insomnia, symptomatic of nocturnal hormone fluctuations in menopausal bodies. Through an alchemic set of domestic hacks and arrangements, the installation will replicate the specific embodiment of this insomnia: burning feet, hot flushes, sweat, restless legs, crawling skin, circling thoughts, depression and anxiety. Using light and dark as primary materials, elements of the exhibition will be highlighted and revealed through rotating, dawn-like lighting and pervasive shards of light inspired by curtain cracks.
Heidi Holmes’ practice begins with symptoms that develop within a body and then exist outside the body as material. These symptom-materials form site- specific installations encompassing reconstruction, sculpture, and atmosphere and reference domestic decoration, medicine, bodily functions, ageing and feminist theory. Currently, the symptom-materials in these works reflect the conditions of menopause, inclusive of post-menopause, perimenopause and hormone-withdrawal menopause. Formerly, these symptom-materials were determined by the annals of failed fertility and childlessness.
An online artist talk will accompany the exhibition during Witching Hour, 3-4 AM EST. Date to be confirmed.
Paper-making production courtesy of Paperhouse Studio.
Artist Bio
Heidi Homes
Heidi Holmes holds a BFA (Honours) from The VCA at The University of Melbourne (AU) and an MFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design (Vancouver, CA). Holmes has exhibited her work in numerous solo exhibitions and group exhibitions including Yard Space Gallery (CA), Libby Leshhold Gallery (CA), Spring 1883 (AU), Root Division (US), Margaret Lawrence Gallery (AU), TCB Art Inc (AU), West Space (AU), Bus Projects (AU) and worked with curator Raimundas Malasakis on his project, On Campus (AU). Recent accomplishments include securing a scholarship to join The Power Plant’s Emerging Artist Collective (CA) and a full scholarship to attend the European Cultural Academy’s Contemporary Art Course (Venice, IT). Interviews and writing about Holmes’ practice have been published in Un Magazine (AU), The Wheeler Centre (AU), and in 2021, Holmes’ work, I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar as I Push out this Science Baby (2016) was the impetus for Angela Balzano’s book, To Do Away with Family, From Abortion to post-human Relationships, published by Meltemi Press, (IT).