MY MONSTER: the catalogue

MY MONSTER: The Human-Animal Hybrid, published by RMIT University Gallery, Melbourne
Cover art: Kate Clark, Gallant, 2016 (detail)

Back in 2018, the merging of animals and humans into fantastical hybrid creatures was extensively explored in MY MONSTER: The Human-Animal Hybrid at RMIT University Gallery, Melbourne. Impeccably curated by Dr. Evelyn Tsitas, the exhibition ran from 29 June – 18 August.

Thanks to the recent publication of a handsome catalogue, comprising a foreword by Helen Rayment, Acting Director of RMIT Gallery, an insightful introduction by Professor Barbara Creed and an informative essay by Tsitas accompanied by exhaustive installation views, it’s now possible to revisit this remarkable show at will. 

Installation view of Ladybird Woman, 2014, watercolour, 41.91 x 29.72 cm, RMIT University Gallery, Melbourne, June 2018

Three of my watercolours, including Ladybird Woman (pictured above) were part of MY MONSTER.

To page through the e-catalogue, go here: https://rmitgallery.com/digital/my-monster-the-human-animal-hybrid-3/

MY MONSTER floor talk

Far left: artwork by Patricia Piccinini, foreground: my unbound artist book Homo-insecta, an Unnatural History Portfolio

Today is the first day of the Melbourne International Film Festival; between now and 19 August, I'll be seeing over 60 films. Just before I throw myself down the rabbit hole and into the Wonderland of MIFF 2018, here are some snapshots of last night’s floor talk, METAMORPHOSIS AND TRANSFORMATION, presented with Jazmina Cininas as part of MY MONSTER: The Human Animal Hybrid at RMIT Gallery. (Scroll down to see Jazmina and I with a selection of her astonishing Girlie Werewolf reduction linocuts). 

Many thanks to exhibition curator Evelyn Tsitas, to RMIT Gallery for having us and to all who came along. 

Photo credits: Shane Jones.

In full voice, alongside my Homo-insecta watercolours

It was delightful, as always, to reunite with my old friend and former colleague
Jazmina Cininas and her Girlie Werewoves

METAMORPHOSIS AND TRANSFORMATION: a floor talk

Installation view, Deborah Klein, Homo-insecta watercolours, My Monster: The Human Animal Hybrid,
 RMIT Gallery, Melbourne. Photographer: Mark Ashkanasy © RMIT Gallery.

On Thursday 2 August from 5.30 - 6.30 pm, Jazmina Cininas and I will meet at RMIT Gallery to talk metamorphosis, mythology, fables, fairy tales, folklore and their impact on our artworks in the current exhibition, My Monster: The human animal hybrid.
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It's a ticketed event and I understand we already have a full house. For those who've missed out, you still have time to see the show, which runs until 18 August.  
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There is an informative article about the exhibition in the July issue of Art Almanac: https://www.art-almanac.com.au/monster-human-animal-hybrid/
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My Monsters at RMIT Gallery

Shortly before My Monster: the Human-Animal Hybrid officially opened its doors (to a queue of 1,400 people, I'm reliably informed!) we were invited to a special curator's talk. During that relatively quiet time we seized the moment to take these photos. That's me above, pictured with two of my monstrous creations. (Photo credit: Shane Jones).

I'm delighted with the way my works are presented. Ordinarily I'm not a huge admirer of patterned walls in contemporary art exhibitions - they have a tendency to overpower the work - but in this case, I think it works brilliantly.

Actinus imperialis Beetle Woman, watercolour (installation view at RMIT Gallery)

Ladybird Woman, watercolour (installation view at RMIT Gallery)

There is a substantial article about the show in yesterday's Age newspaper (Saturday, June 30). My watercolour Actinus imperialis Beetle Woman (also pictured above, third from top) is reproduced, along with works by Kate Clark, Peter Ellis, Rona Green and a photographic portrait of My Monster curator Evelyn Tsitas.

Opening tonight: MY MONSTER: THE HUMAN-ANIMAL HYBRID

Pictured top: Deborah Klein, Actinus imperialis Beetle Woman,
watercolour on Khadi rag paper, 41.91 x 29.72 cm. (Photo credit: Tim Gresham).

In the two hundred years since Mary Shelley documented the creation of Frankenstein’s monster and its aftermath, our fascination with the hybrid has never wavered. 

Opening tonight 6 - 8 pm:

My Monster: The Human-Animal Hybrid

Curated by Evelyn Tsitas 

RMIT Gallery

344 Swanston Street

Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia

Gallery hours: Monday – Friday 11am – 5pm 

Thursday 11am – 7pm

Saturday 12pm – 5pm 

Closed public holidays 

Free entry

My Monster runs from 29 June - 18 August. For further information, click HERE.

MY MONSTER: THE HUMAN-ANIMAL HYBRID

European Wasp Woman, watercolour, 41.91 x 29.72
Photo credit: Tim Gresham

My Monster is an exhibition that celebrates the 200th anniversary year of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and the enduring fascination with the human animal hybrid. Curator Evelyn Tsitas has selected three of my works for the show, including European Wasp Woman.

Exhibiting artists include Jane Alexander (South Africa), Rose Agnew, Janet Beckhouse, Peter Booth, Jazmina Cininas, Kate Clark (USA), Catherine Clover, Beth Croce, Julia deVille, Heri Dono (ID), Peter Ellis, Rona Green, Moira Finucane, Rayner Hoff, Ronnie van Hout, Sam Jinks, Deborah Kelly, Bharti  Kher (IND),  Deborah Klein, Oleg Kulik (Ukraine / Russia), Sam Leach, Norman Lindsay, Sidney Nolan,  Eko Nugroho (ID), Patricia Piccinini, Kira O’Reilly & Jennifer Willet (Ireland / Canada), Lisa Roet, Geoffrey Ricardo, Mithu Sen (IND) and Maja Smrekar (Slovenia).

My Monster: The Human-Animal Hybrid

29 June – 18 August 2018

RMIT Gallery

344 Swanston Street 

Melbourne VIC 3000 

Australia

Open Monday – Friday 11am – 5pm 
Thursday 11am – 7pm

Saturday 12pm – 5pm

Closed public holidays

Free entry