Bundaberg-born artist Ana Daniels has returned to Bundaberg for a solo exhibition after first exhibiting in the region as a high school student.
‘Home Bodies’, now on show at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, explores the home as a space for queerness that challenges what an ideal life can look like.
Ana said exhibiting in Bundaberg as a professional artist was an important moment in their career.
“BRAG was a really important space for me growing up as an artist, it was the first space that I ever showed any work in,” Ana said.
“It feels like a real full circle moment to be back here.
“I’m really proud to be showing in Bundaberg and to be able to share this kind of story in Bundaberg, which isn’t necessarily something that I expected I would be able to do when I grew up.”
Ana’s exhibition stems from their Masters of Philosophy research at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), investigating ways of living and finding emotional connection outside the traditional nuclear family unit.
“Home Bodies is about exploring the domestic space as a queer person and figuring out what elements of the domestic space are necessary for survival and comfort,” Ana said.
“I’ve always been really interested in the home as a space for queerness, particularly because historically it’s been the space where queerness has been confined to.”
Ana uses traditional quilting and handcraft techniques to hand-make their artworks, inspired by craft-based activism projects like AIDS memorial quilts.
“I think there’s something very human about a bed or a quilt, and it’s kind of universal,’ Ana said.
“I really like playing with that symbol and seeing how I can distort it a little or create something new out of something very familiar.
“For me, it’s really important to stay connected to these labour-intensive practices that are really connected to women’s work.”
‘Home Bodies’ is on display at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery until 18 April.
Find out more at artsbundaberg.com.au/Galleries.
