Exhibition- Matilde Tomat - Conservation- Blackburn - 6/5/19 - 11/5/19
May, 10 2019
~In 1976 a devastating earthquake hit Friuli, Italy. The aftermath of the quake left 978 dead, 2,400 injured and 157,000 without a home. Those who survived were the fortunate in a natural disaster that claimed the lives of many.
Matilde Tomat was one of those survivors. She is a psychotherapist, writer and artist. Her artistic ability led her to create a cathartic interpretation of what she witnessed first hand.
“CONSERVATION” is an installation featuring 111 pieces representing the 1073 victims of varying ages deceased during the 1976 earthquake that destroyed villages and towns in the Friuli area of the north east of Italy. The artist, at the time, was only 8.
Despite being just a child the experience stayed with her into adulthood and the pieces describe a deeply moving story of loss, fragility and identity.
The pieces are cast in plaster out of jar, pots, bottles, or containers used to conserve food or any other perishable material.
Here is a bullet point summary of what the exhibition is all about :-
- From the fragility of the single pieces to the fragility of life itself and the uncertainty of tomorrow
- How the victims’ identity is eradicated and rendered universal by white plaster
- How the artist felt a need to meet and protect that wounded child-part of herself which never disappeared
- Exploring her own memories of separation and good-bye
- All those funerals she didn’t go to
- How conservation of memories is related to restoration
- How the destructive power of a quake can be purged by the pure creative revealing of plaster.
CONSERVATION is a journey through the idea of eternity and the concept of legacy and memory, as a long process of here&now’s.
CONSERVATION allows the artist to represent subtle and sudden loss and pain, where while she represents a personal story, it allows for anyone to connect with their personal pain.
A moment of silence took place last Monday at 8pm to launch the exhibition. Due to the fire at The Bureau on 3 APR 19, the location has been changed from The Gallery @ The Bureau to The North Transept at Blackburn Cathedral. The exhibition is running now until Saturday 11th May 2019.
For more information on the featured artist please visit :-www.matildetomat.com
Show your support for this established artist by attending this event :-
- Exhibition: Matilde Tomat - Conservation
- The Bureau - Centre for the Arts - Blackburn
- Monday 6th - Saturday 11th May 2019.
^Alex Ashworth
