Descriptions of Two Artists' Works

Patricia Piccinini - "The Young Family"

Piccinini’s work employs the materials of silicone, acrylic, human hair, leather and timber. Being a contemporary artwork, Piccinini’s “The Young Family” incorporates the use of variety of unique materials, such as human hair. Her work embodies a sense of nurture among the family, however, there is also a sense of grotesqueness through the artificiality of the animals with humanly features. Moreover, incorporating real human hair into the work creates a peculiar atmosphere. Piccinini would have made this sculpture by carefully making the shape of the animals through moulding, such as the technique used in ceramics.

Sidney Nolan - "Stringybark Creek"

Nolan’s work is made out of N’Ripolin on strawboard. This work is painted with dry brushstrokes through the technique of scumbling. Nolan employs a variety of colours, most prominently, blue, earth red, black, white and green, painted in a wild and gestural manner. Nolan’s work focuses on the natural environment, especially depicting the dry and harshness of Australia’s landscape. Also, the thickness of the paint suggests that Nolan may have used palette knives to spread the paint directly onto the work, and spreading it out.