Riley Stafford
‘Black Pillars/Nijinsky, Convexity/Concavity’ 2025. Ink and texta on paper, 56cm x 39cm, 72cm x 14cm.
Artist statement
While made separately, I have combined these artworks for the sake of this exhibition. They both explore Hans Bellmer’s idea that repressed thoughts are kept in the stomach.
Convexity/Concavity is a diary of diet, a diary of the mind. Convexity refers to observations of binge eating, and concavity to starvation. These experiences meet in the middle of the concertina.
Nijinsky was a ballet dancer of the early 20th century, known for his later institutionalization. His last public performance began with him staring at his audience for half an hour, in an attempt to understand them and be understood in return.
Photographs: Anna Kucera
Acknowledgement of Country
ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
