Horizontal Evolution

There is a dichotomous nature to pearls; they are at once objects of beauty and value, yet originating from an internal irritation in the pearl shell, and thus relating to abject qualities of abnormal growth. Horizontal Evolution presents entwined and hybrid lifeforms; ascidians, human teeth, cephalopods, fleshy folds, hair, orifices and tendrils of seagrass. Referencing our evolutionary origins in the ocean, this work also speculates on a possible future – one in which humans have depleted oysters from the sea and grow pearls from our own bodies.
~ Erin Coates, from the Lust for Lustre exhibition catalogue, curated by Gemma Ben-Ary, Ellenbrook Art Gallery, 2020

artworks left to right:
Ostreoidea Labium, 2020
silicon, pigment, animal hair, river pearls, glazed porcelain
Filter Feeder, 2020
silicon, pigment, artificial pearl, glazed porcelain
River Mouth Harvest, 2020
silicon, pigment, river pearls
Ear Pearl Concha, 2020
silicon, pigment, river pearl
Intertidal Harvest, 2020
silicon, pigment, river pearls
Patella Pearl Incubator, 2020
silicon, pigment, river pearl, human hair
Marine Biomass Lateral Evolution, 2020
printed textured wallpaper, dimensions variable

All photographs by Yvonne Doherty, 2020