Caitlin Wood

People Are Stronger Than

Australia, 2008

Brooch

Materials:

Aluminum, Copper, Sterling Silver

Techniques:

Heat press & Fabrication

Dimension in cm:

dimensions variable, each piece

Artist Statement:

The separation wall that divides Israel and

Palestine is a violently repressive

separation of two groups of people with

much in common. Many sections of the

wall are covered with graffiti as individual

and collective reactions to the wall become

colorful and creative expression. Through

graffiti people challenge the oppressive

power of this wall and regain power for

themselves.

While in Palestine and Israel, I

documented the graffiti on the wall with

photographs. I wanted to bring the

messages of hope on this wall to a wider

audience – to highlight both the violence

and injustice of this wall and the power of

people to tear down the walls that divide us.

Using the images of the graffiti on the wall,

a made a series of brooches that become an

installation. Creating a continuous wall on

three sides that people step into, I attempt

to share my experience of the space of the

wall, and to bring that reality to a wider

audience. By shrinking the scale of the

wall, what was previously powerful and

oppressive is deconstructed and rendered

powerless. The security towers topple and

fall. The wall breaks apart and pieces are

taken away, for people to wear as

badges.

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

The separation wall that divides Israel and

Palestine is a violently repressive

separation of two groups of people with

much in common. Many sections of the

wall are covered with graffiti as individual

and collective reactions to the wall become

colorful and creative expression. Through

graffiti people challenge the oppressive

power of this wall and regain power for

themselves. While in Palestine and Israel, I

documented the graffiti on the wall with

photographs. I wanted to bring the

messages of hope on this wall to a wider

audience – to highlight both the violence

and injustice of this wall and the power of

people to tear down the walls that divide us.

Using the images of the graffiti on the wall,

a made a series of brooches that become an

installation. Creating a continuous wall on

three sides that people step into, I attempt

to share my experience of the space of the

wall, and to bring that reality to a wider

audience. By shrinking the scale of the

wall, what was previously powerful and

oppressive is deconstructed and rendered

powerless. The security towers topple and

fall. The wall breaks apart and pieces are

taken away, for people to wear as badges.

Do you have a personal (or other)

connection to the exhibition’s theme?

While living in Israel, I made Palestinian

and Israeli friends and experienced first

hand the overwhelming despair felt by

people on both sides of this conflict.

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

As an installation, the form of the work

echoes the physical wall and its concrete

panels and security  towers.  When worn as

brooches, the security towers are riveted in

such a way that they can be  pushed over,

further emphasizing hope, through peoples

ability to resist and demolish powerful

oppressive structures such as this wall.  I

wanted to reproduce the colorful graffiti

dialogues on the  wall, and appreciated the

way that this printing technique allows the

metal to be visible behind the image, so that

light hits the metal surface and the image is

enhanced by illumination.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers

will get from your work?

I want to bring the experience of the wall to

people outside of Israel and Palestine.