Rituals Peter Walsh

Sisyphus was condemned to spend an eternity hauling a boulder up a mountain, only to watch it roll down again and for the process to be repeated; an unimaginable and obscene punishment to be endured. In spite of the apparent hopelessness of the situation, there is liberation and calm within his task. Sisyphus, through the constraints of his punishment, has a set purpose, a reason to live, regardless of how arbitrary and absurd it may seem.

Rituals is a new solo exhibition by Tāmaki Makaurau-based emerging Artist, Peter Walsh. With the aim of connecting to the sensorium, the working materials within the installation take priority over the traditional object. Rituals comprises of a suite of actions and perceptions, removed from the idea of a singular, finished work to a purposeful ritual of collection and making within an integrated, material-oriented practice. These actions and materials are foregrounded as the locus of meaning production, existing in a space of change, rest and potential.

Peter Walsh is an artist, and musician born in Harare, Zimbabwe and grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. He holds a BFA from Whitecliffe College of Art and Design (2017). His practice focuses on the meditative aspects of art making, utilising sound, natural reclaimed materials and manual hand based processes. Peter draws inspiration from spiritual architecture, mythology, science fiction and philosophy, with an emphasis on purpose, belief and the absurd. Recent exhibitions include, Meditations/Histories, TÜR Studio, Auckland (2017) and PLATFORM, HOTDATE, Auckland, 2016.