When your neighbours' problems become your own Cat Auburn

Based on drawings for a previous series of works, Cat Auburn’s When your neighbours’ problems become your own returns to the notion of sculptural form within narrative. Tall, elegant steel armatures resembling what could be real or mythical creatures populate the central gallery space, quivering with the smallest automated touch to reveal moments of fragility, or even anxiety. In the second, smaller space a bow and arrow rests, poised for action, yet just as delicate in construction and tension.

As the sculptures tremble throughout the main space, and the bow and arrow remains at the ready, personalities emerge through the proposition of movement. Characteristics that would conventionally be revealed if there were bodies, backdrops, colour scheme or soundtrack encasing the structures are formed around a series of simple, quiet gestures. In this way, each sculpture resonates with suggestion, and a narrative is formed as they are viewed, rather than being preconceived for viewing.

Cat Auburn’s practice often explores social and anti-social histories, unravelling anxiety and memory, desire and voyeurism through sculptural form.

Click to view video documentation (Vimeo)

Wellington-based artist Cat Auburn completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2006 and a Post-graduate Diploma in Fine Arts in 2007 at the University of Auckland. She was a finalist in the 2008 Wallace Art Awards and in 2010 she was the recipient of the Olivia Spencer Bower Foundation Art Award and Residency. She has exhibited at The Dowse Art Museum, Wellington, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu, Christchurch, the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare O Rehua Whanganui and is represented by Bartley + Company Art, Wellington.