Jodesa Donley is a Brisbane based emerging artist whose practice explores a variety of mixed media and processes, ranging from painting to sculpture, performance to installations. She expresses aspects of her identity through emotional and conceptual forms ephemeral in nature, often suspended and sprinkled across the space which appears to maintain a sense of order.
Jodesa critically reflects on the symbolic elements of the material she uses that connects to her personal memories and to her experience as a Filipino-Australian migrant. Rice is an essential part of her work. It’s rooted in her childhood experience when her mother would cook rice in different ways and make a drink to use as a substitute for milk to feed to her children, these inspired her to use rice as a tool to represent people and bridge the gap between diverse communities.
Jodesa is interested in the narrative moments within the space. Her experimental performance intends to immerse the viewers to inter-cultural experience which aims to create deeper relationships among individuals, encouraging empathy and understanding in a multi-cultural society.
2021 SWELL ARTWORK – The Constellation I See in the Sky, Jodesa Donley
“The Constellation I see in the sky” is inspired by my childhood memories in the Philippines when I loved to dream and wonder while I look up into the night sky. It also relates to my life now in Australia like when my family and friends go camping, we create beautiful memories together.
In this installation, I think about people like stars. We group ourselves together through finding commonality and understanding our differences. The connected dots suggest that we are all connected and that we belong to one family.
Instagram: @cryptic_artt
Website: www.jodesa-donley.com.au
Come and see for yourself at SWELL Sculpture Festival, Pacific Parade, Currumbin 10-19 September.