The cricket bat metaphorically suggests ‘fairness’ in terms of a ‘sporting chance’ and is associated with the colonial practices of England that in turn have been adopted and adapted by colonised states. In Australia, cricket is recognised as a game that continues to carry with it a sense of the ‘Empire’, despite the impact of commercialism and internationalism. Far from being a ‘level playing field’, cricket continues to perpetuate the image of White Australian masculinity and Australia’s colonial history – despite its claims as the ‘national game’. These artworks metaphorically extract the ‘Englishness’, allowing Australia’s national identity to be reconfigured from the margins.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.
2016, carved English willow cricket bat, coloured beeswax and French varnish.