Catherine Dabron

Catherine Dabron has had a life long love of fabric, art and stitchery. After leaving school in the '70s, she studied Dress Design at East Sydney Technical College receiving an award for 'Student of the Year' in her final year. 

Catherine then spent many years working as a Designer/illustrator before completing a Degree in Anthropology and Art. She now conducts workshops and teaches at ANU for the Visual Art Access program.
 

Her work is inspired by culture and identity.

‘Inveiged by Three’ 2010
Medium: Muslin and embroidery thread
Size: Height: 105cm x Width: 250cm x Depth: 3mm

Artist statement:
My work is a response to the tragic events and the continuous debate which relate to the many problems faced by asylum seeker.

I am trying to communicate the plight of the refugee by likening their situation to that of being lured into and entangled in a “net” of nefarious behavior and political and bureaucratic policy in both their own country and the country to which they escape.

I am using the mediums of both of drawing and textiles on white muslin while drawing on inspiration from work by child detainees. I chose muslin for its netlike quality I am using greyish thread to covey the feeling of waves, steal, pulling and entwining. The use of fishermen’s pants alludes to traditional culture, sea and boats. Also, many of the so called 'smugglers' bringing asylum seekers to Australia are impoverished fisher folk, who don't even own the boats they ferry asylum seekers aboard.

Photographer Leise Knowles