Homebound, 2021
Curated by David Broker, Director of Canberra Contemporary Art Space (CCAS) group exhibition , 12 March - 2 May 2021
“Homebound is a story of resilience and survival. The romantic stereotype of the impoverished, introverted artist working solo in their garret rang strangely true in 2020 but this was no matter of choice. As COVID-19 exposed the developing cracks in every culture and society, preying on the vulnerable, artists with their already fragile career paths suddenly found themselves in a particularly precarious position.”
The Helmet series included freestanding sculpture works made from cast concrete bicycle helmets and cut perspex. The works were arranged staggered and at varying levels to give the works a rhythm and explore ideas of movement through space. Inspired by the Italian Futurists and their ideas of how to represent the freedom of movement whist travelling through the early automotive vehicles and trains, Lemoh references the ideas of freedom and space- both physically and mentally. Her text based works are inspire by a stream of consciousness style and concrete poetry to articulate thoughts and feelings as tangible things which exist in space with shape and structure. The texts within the helmets were inspired by the #BLM movements and the death of George Flyoyd in the USA.
“Using bare industrial building materials such as concrete, beset block plinths and perspex, emphasising structure over decorative design, Lemoh’s presentation is brutalist and speaks to the monolithic icons of Brutalism next door to the gallery: The High Court of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia. In the tradition of brutal arhictecture her works are materially uncompromising, contained within the space of the gallery while incorporating spaces which the audience can see what lies outside.”
'Helmet Series' installed at Canberra Contemporary Art Space
“[The works] convey a sense of burgeoning disquiet as thoughts turn to her Sierra Leonian heritage and position amongst the African diaspora in Australia...Thus she questions the effectiveness of her own voice in the context of such turbulent times.”