Karla Dickens

Driving forces behind Karla’s need to communicate are her Indigenous (Wiradjuri) heritage, sexuality and life experiences as a soulful connected woman. Dickens uses recycled everyday items to explore notions of persistence amidst inherent violence and misunderstanding. Made with uncommon rawness and daring, her meticulously fabricated works emanate a rare truthfulness and honesty. Edgy and hard to confine, Karla often cannibalises existing works to create new ones. She presents a wide-ranging and unique interpretation of the real world, where past and present collide in a multi-dimensional kaleidoscope of her own making.

The Black Hole in the distance is a scar. The gaping entrance to an old coal mine. A pimp somewhere has heavy pockets. The Poker Machine will tempt to sing you. One armed bandits promise hard cold cash. Red, Black, Yellow Dollars. Black tears. The scars left behind by the money makers.