Lynette Wallworth - Evolution of Fearlessness (Australian debut)

“Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness, the Abhaya mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. The gesture is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward.”
Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols
(Thames & Hudson, 2004)

Evolution of Fearlessness is an intimate‚ interactive installation that responds to touch. The installation is created as a sequel to Wallworth’s earlier work Invisible by Night, 2004. Together the two works deal with loss and its aftermath, survival and beyond that, strength.

In creating this work‚ Wallworth filmed portraits of 11 women residing in Australia‚ but originating from countries such as Afghanistan‚ Sudan‚ Iraq and El Salvador‚ who have lived through wars‚ survived concentration camps or extreme acts of violence. The work focuses on a state beyond terror and loss most closely akin to mercy.

This powerful series of portraits will have particular resonance within this context - as many of the women featured in this work live in and around the city of Melbourne.

Built around the importance of gesture‚ Evolution of Fearlessness provides a tactile gateway to the living women contained in the piece‚ whose stories we are given glimpses of but whose lips do not speak. The work is an intimate reveal of the strength of the human spirit.

Evolution of Fearlessness has been exhibited three times before: in 2006 at the New Crowned Hope Festival in Vienna, in 2007 as part of the Auckland Triennial and in June - July this year at the Festival International d'Art Lyrique, Aix–en–Provence. The Melbourne Festival presents the Australian debut of Evolution of Fearlessness.

Exhibition:

9 October – 25 October 08 | Melbourne International Arts Festival, AU

Commissioned by New Crowned Hope
Produced by Forma
Photos: Rocco Fasano

Related links

Lynette Wallworth
Evolution of Fearlessness
Diary

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