Slow abstraction (2023)
plaster, glass, galvanised steel and found objects

Slow abstraction was a short-term design residency based on the ‘Expressive potential: studies in abstraction’ collection display at Bendigo Art Gallery. Over the course of a week, I designed three interventions which were inspired by artworks in the exhibition and facilitated sensory engagement with the genre of abstraction. Abstract works invite slow engagement as they don’t often depict an immediately recognisable subject, narrative or concept. Images begin to emerge slowly as we go deeper into the work. Abstraction is also an interesting theme to explore in relation to the accessibility of museum collections. Sensory representations can help provide access to blind and low vision visitors in particular, but there is always a level of abstraction when translating the visual to other sensory forms.

All the interventions allowed for visitors to engage together, sharing in the experience through participation and discovery. Exploring ways of approaching things and talking about their experience or what it reminded them of gave visitors a pathway into the work. The tactile and glass lens interventions were particularly successful in encouraging visitors to revisit the artworks and look slowly. Focusing their attention and noticing details also seemed to enhance visitor’s appreciation and interpretation of the artworks.