Charlie's Hunt
Anna Davern
12–29 September
Yellow Cob Pas de Deux, 2023, Anna Davern, neckpiece/wall-work, reworked biscuit tin, discarded plastic and glass beads, 25x25x1cm
Charlie’s Hunt by Anna Davern presents a series of alternative designs for the new Australian coins featuring King Charles III. Using her signature techniques of metal collage and assemblage, Davern cuts and rearranges images from old biscuit tins to craft a fantastical narrative chronicling the life of an imaginary prince, drawing parallels with events in the life of Prince Charles. Through these alternative coin designs, she playfully interrogates the significance of the British monarchy in shaping post-colonial Australian cultural identity.
For many years, Davern has explored the imagery and symbolism of the British monarchy to address the complexities of white Australian identity, particularly in the context of colonialism and multiculturalism. With the transition from the Elizabethan age to the reign of King Charles III, she shifts her focus to the potential impact of this new monarch on how Australians perceive themselves. Each "coin" in this exhibition is a visual satire, blending humor with pointed commentary, and inviting viewers to question the enduring influence of monarchy on contemporary Australian society.
Davern’s work is a blend of folk craft, cultural critique, and humorous reflection, using the round form of the coin as a canvas to reimagine historical events and speculate on future narratives.
Please join us for a drink to celebrate the opening of Charlie's Hunt on Friday 13 September (6–9PM)
exhibition collection
Anna Davern gained her undergraduate degree from Sydney College of the Arts in 1993 and completed her Masters degree at RMIT in 2003.
Davern has held three solo exhibitions at Craft Victoria and has been represented in numerous solo and group exhibitions. In 2011 she co-founded Northcity4, an ARI that provides professional and creative opportunities to the contemporary jewellery community.
She has been the recipient of grants from the Australia Council, Arts Victoria and NAVA and in 2007 she undertook a residency at the Estonian Academy of Art. Davern has taught and lectured at universities and TAFEs in Australia and overseas.
Charlie's Hunt is presented as part of Radiant Pavilion 2024, a Naarm/Melbourne Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennial.
