Kath Podger’s sculpture on display at the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition
Inspired by the Baha’i belief that spiritual truths are revealed over time, sculptor Kath Podger created a work for the “Sculpture by the Sea” exhibition currently being held in Sydney.
Ms Podger’s work is among 100 sculptures from 14 countries selected for display in the exhibition, which is being staged along the two kilometre Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk in Sydney. The exhibition continues until 2 November 2008.
Viewers of Ms Podger’s work first come across Revelation II–Transformation and Revelation II–Evolution (50cm and 60 cm tall respectively), nestling in hollows in a sandstone cliff.
She describes these works as symbolising the awaiting of further revelation.
Further on in the walk, they encounter Revelation II-Strata, a two-metre tall work which is fully visible against a wind-eroded cliff face.
The works are created from a stack of hand-rolled, individual porcelain slivers which are threaded one upon another on a central rod, forming a strata or spine.
Bedrock of inspiration
Describing the inspiration for her work, Ms Podger said that the bedrock underlying human civilisation is the cycles of religion that have been revealed over centuries and ages.
“As time passes, religion’s golden veins are made known, like the new layers of rock exposed after thousands of years,” Ms Podger said.
“The age and appearance of rock differ yet essentially it is born of the same matter, part of one cycle, shaped by the forces of the environment,” she said.
“Similarly humanity is in a continual state of evolution towards its Creator. As spiritual truths are progressively revealed they breathe new life into civilisation.
“Slivers of strata document this spiritual evolution.”
Artist and teacher
Kath Podger, who has worked as a visual arts secondary teacher in NSW, directed the Baha’i Children’s Arts Festival in Australia for seven years, focusing on developing character through creativity.
Ms Podger has also worked as an artist on community arts projects with children, youth and adults in Australia, the Pacific, Canada and Europe.
Ms Podger is a member of the elected national governing body of the Baha’i Faith in Australia, the National Spiritual Assembly.