News & Events 2011 Annual Dinner Auction Items
ELIZABETH LADA GRAY
The Colonial Dispersion of the Incarcerated
Oil paint and ink on paper, wood, mountboard
128 x 84 cm each individual panel
Elizabeth Lada Gray's latest triptych is laden with important historical content that highlights the meticulous research integral in all her works. In The colonial dispersion of the incarcerated she identifies the connections between three institutions1 managed by the Convict Department of Van Diemen's Land and explores the potential of being born in one institution and passing through other institutions during a lifetime. An example is Martha S., probably born in the Cascades Female Factory. At eight years of age Martha was sent from The Queen's Orphanage to the Lunatic Asylum New Norfolk "...for an evident want of intelligence when spoken to and fits of temper" No further records exist regarding her fate. Lada also links the Female Factory, the Orphanage and the Lunatic Asylum to the Colonial class system that ensured people were kept in their societal place. Female Factory first class convicts wore a yellow C on the outer garment; second class a yellow C an the left sleeve of the jacket; third class a yellow C on the centre back of a jacket, one on the right sleeve and another on the back of a petticoat. A similar class system was practiced within the Lunatic Asylum New Norfolk.
Lada Gray's control of language is a significant part of the power of her works. Within the tryiptych she overlays drawings and collage with pen and ink text that quotes statistics and tells of events in stark statements stripped of sentimentality.
The colonial dispersion of the incarcerated is a major work in Elizabeth Lada Gray's outstanding oeurvre and is set to be included in the prestigious 2011 Alcorso Foundation art auction.
For further information regarding the art work or its auction please contact Denise Robinson on 0447 125 541
1 Cascades Felmale Factory 1828-1856; The Queen's Orphanage 1834-1879; Lunatic Asylum New Norfolk 1829-1859
We encourage you to place bids prior to 5th October by contacting Denise Robinson at the Alcorso Foundation 0447 125 541.