Karike Ashworth

Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2024 - Finalist

_{[Image courtesy of the artist]}

Artist Statement

Thunderdome (We don’t need another hero) is a reimagined Thunderdome from the third film in the Mad Max franchise, Beyond Thunderdome (1985). The Thunderdome is reimagined for us here as the hegemonic patriarchy. References to central core imagery (rusty vagina) are present, as is the affect of bruising to the injured body. It is made using the lace from reclaimed/donated petticoats, and strips of condemned hospital linen stained with a combination of natural dye materials from the artist’s kitchen and garden. Most interesting of these, is rust and tea. Rust for rot (misogyny is rot of society) and tea (for comfort).  

The work is a kind of homage to Tina Turner, who played a complex female character in Beyond Thunderdome. Turner was abused by her husband, Ike Turner (also her business partner). Their marriage is described as ”tumultuous” on Wikipedia. In fact, Turner suffered considerable abuse at the hands of her “tumultuous” husband.