Venezuelan artist, Ramon Martinez Mendoza and Aboriginal artist group Baluk Arts have used 5,000 PGH Seaforth Sandstock bricks and PGH Bluestone bricks to create an art installation at the Frankston Arts Centre in outer Melbourne.
Using the building blocks of societies past and present, including bricks and sand, indigenous and immigrant artists explored the process of our changing identities in the installation titled ‘Tapping Identities’.
Ramon Martinez Mendoza said, “we created this installation to provide a space for artists and the community to explore their ideas about identities and to encourage the Australian society to see beyond a person’s appearance.”
“Tapping Identities” is a reflection on the identity within each human being, identity as a flexible organism and not as a social categorisation. Identity that goes beyond “I’m Australian”, “I’m Latin American”, “I’m Aboriginal”, “I’m an immigrant,” said Martinez Mendoza.
The installation was created with one tonne of sand and 5,000 PGH Seaforth and PGH Bluestone bricks, which use two different clays.
Martinez Mendoza explained how he chose the PGH Seaforth Sandstocks and Bluestone bricks because they represented his ideas perfectly.
“The mix of the rich cream colours in the Sandstock bricks and mix of reds in the Bluestone bricks presented a perfect representation of the mix of two main clays used in Australia,” he said.
“The Bluestone red tumbled texture is amazing and has a real human feel to it, which I could not surpass. The bricks showcase really beautiful textural imperfections, and the combination of dark and bright colours is really powerful. I found the bricks really raw and beautiful, representative of two different cultures, portraying what is pure and organic.”
Adriana Cerantonio from PGH Bricks & Pavers, said, “PGH is honoured to have its bricks used for this installation in conjunction with artist Ramon Martinez Mendoza and artist group - Baluk Arts. It is a great opportunity to showcase the Seaforth and Bluestone bricks to represent the Frankston Art Centre’s project of breaking down the barriers and using this installation to reconstruct identities. It was a truly enthralling art and cultural experience.”
Heath Lacey of Lacey Bricks and Roofing played an active part in assisting with the 5,000 PGH Seaforth Sandstock bricks and PGH Bluestone bricks for the installation of the project.
Carolina Snow, Frankston Art Centre, Arts Project Officer, said, “The partnership with PGH and Lacey bricks has been instrumental in allowing the artists to fulfil the installation and bring their concept and ideas to life. We look forward to working with PGH Bricks & Pavers for future projects.”
