This catalogue was published in 1986 by the Contemporary Art Gallery on the occasion of the exhibition Judy Davis: *BEING PLACED* held at the Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver from September 2 – September 27, 1986. The publication contains an essay by curator Christine Elving.

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Being Placed

Judy Davis

From the moment of entering the gallery space the viewer is engaged in a very physical interaction with Davis' work; their movement is directed, by a structure of steps and ramp, into a sculptural environment. “Totemic” forms are manipulated within the space to create an atmosphere of tension and imbalance which spark a relationship between these upright forms and the viewer's own physicality and perceptions. Within this environment of uncertainty Davis alludes to the experience of placement/displacement and the effects of dramatic changes in environment and culture.

Cast of Ciment Fondu, these large-scale sculptures demonstrate Davis' careful attention to her materials which result in rich surface textures and forms which appear to be caught in time, between creation and decay.

Drawing and sculpture have a parallel and overlapping role in this exhibition of Davis’ work; the sculptures are drawn on with oil stick, denying an aspect of their three-dimensional state, and the series of drawings on paper inform the development of the sculptural molds while also suggesting alternative perceptual approaches to the installation.


Essay: “Judy Davis: Being Placed,” Christine Elving

A close up view of a sculpture made of cast metal. The edge of the sculpture is coloured gestural strokes of blue and purple pastel. 

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In a gallery space with a dark ceiling, there is a small set of steps leading to a white platform. On the platform, there are several planks of metal-cement with one straight edge and one jagged edge.

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A gallery space divided into two visible sections. One section is an elevated platform with vertical cement fondu planks. The other section has a black floor and abstract paintings on the white walls. 

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Several vertical structures made of cast metal-cement and wire stand on a white surface in a gallery, close to the ceiling. A set of steps leading to the works is partially visible.

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Several flat planks of cement fondu on wire stand vertically in a gallery space. They are glossy and well-lit, and have streaks of blue and purple along their flat edge.

Judy Davis

Related Exhibitions