Gabrielle Bates

I work across painting, photography and performance to explore the socio-political and supernatural thresholds of places and their communities. Questions around ownership, agency and collaboration are at the core of my socially engaged art practice, in which I create conditions for different groups to negotiate with each other, places, buildings and materials to develop performative outcomes. I’ve worked with children, young people, artists, activists, performers, choirs and event management teams to successfully produce projects with dynamic and emotionally charged outcomes. My projects include Tree Shriners (2017-2020), Sleep Walkers (2015-ongoing), Dub Circle (2019), The Uknowns (2019-2021), Building Song (2022-ongoing) and Cementa Inc’s Uncooperative Youth Arts Program (2023-ongoing).

Scrum is a mobile sculpture of bodies. Bodies in formation, conflict, collaboration. Inspired by Rugby Union, League and strategic planning processes, Kandos-based artist Gabrielle Bates connects community sporting associations with the Cementa community to negotiate physical movement through agreement. Prior to Scrum, participants can workshop their own sports identity uniforms to wear during this ultimate clash of community. Will there be winners? Will there be losers? Only Scrum has the answers.

This project on Wiradjuri Dabee Land could not be possible without the generous time and support given by Cementa Inc, Susan Barling, Jack & Leslie Pennell, Kandos Community Club, Susan Barling, Peter Swain, Kandos/Rylstone sporting associations, Georgina Pollard, Alex Wisser, Daina Sander, and the Kandos community.