Paul E Mason
Paul E Mason is a sculptor who works with a unique combination of carefully collected mineral specimens and fossils, and metals, juxtaposing whimsical, almost toy-like forms, with deeply serious political/social commentary and themes.
The Loddon Firestick Collar is a ceremonial reliquary referencing the activity of indigenous farmers and indigenous prisoner road gangs, 21st century cropping farmers, the CFA and spinning fire dervishes. This work activated his research into reliquaries – ‘an object that is good to think’ – and continued into the French explorer Nicolas Baudin’s LOOKING FOR BAUDIN travelling exhibition.
Mason’s reliquaries are a contemporary interpretation of early contact with Aboriginal Australia. They deal with the politics of exploration, discovery and colonial prospecting using Diorite, pewter, gold leaf, cast resin and French historical objects.
Coastal profiles, climate change, probing extinction and lack of political action have driven his current work with automata through physical engagement with the audience.
