Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2024

Vexations in blue
cotton, aluminium purse clasp, chain, polyester hair, ribbon

Artist's statement
Vexations in blue reflects the inner struggles Tot reveals within her diary, navigating social expectations, gender inequality and limited opportunities. Her candid entries capture the weight of domesticity, the search for balance and self-acceptance, and the struggle for spiritual fulfilment.

Tot’s experience echoes the voices of women throughout history who, like her, have sought personal fulfilment while contending with societal norms and gender inequality, and grappling with the tension between duty and personal growth.

Flower Boy
ceramic, glaze, glass

Artist's statement
Flower boy holds a fresh flower or leaf plucked from the outside garden, its green stem dangling in a Victorian-era glass. In the late 1800s, the household of women at Meroogal employed George, a Chinese immigrant, to care for and tend the garden, growing their flowers and vegetables. A significant member of the household, George was able to return to China regularly, and brought back gifts for the Meroogal women. This work combines ideas of the house and garden, and interior and exterior worlds.

Deep longings settled
repurposed wool blanket, found objects, monoprint, clay paint, wood, stitched cotton, water pearls

Artist's statement
I was led to Meroogal after finalising a series of works focusing on the Shoalhaven and its river.
I was deeply moved by Tot Thorburn’s story and her relationship with her sisters. There is a story in every space; a lifetime of collected and handmade objects and textiles triggered an immediate association with my early childhood in Ecuador, quietly stitching with my four sisters. As in Meroogal, there was a harmonious integration with the house, garden and domesticated animals.