Nesting Series
While renovating her Tasmanian home and studio Manning observed the bird life and saw a parallel between these 'homes' and our own, all are transient and will eventually, like ourselves, disappear. The Nesting Series begun during 2012 - 2013 and continued in 2016 explores the transience of life and the commercialization of our homes.
The work 'Chance, Nesting Series' won the 2016 Kingborough Art Prize and 'Nesting Series I' was a finalist in the 2013 Eutick Memorial Still Life Award.
Nesting Series I acrylic on masonite x6 30 x 26 cm Finalist Eutick Memorial Still Life Award 2013
'Nesting', 'feather your nest', 'empty nesters', 'nest egg' took on new meaning as Manning painted more than 50 nests and small birds from life. Stripping back walls at home and then observing the Oatlands conservation department’s careful separation of layers of sucessive wallpapers for preservation, the artist became fascinated by the layering of materials. Each successive generation makes their mark and are then covered over by the next. Manning created abstract collages using hessian, newspaper, wallpaper, old photographs and real estate related text to juxtapose with specific nests. The nests beauty and individuality stand out from a distance, but up close the viewer is made to consider the world of real estate and finance.
Chance, Nesting Series. triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 31.5 x 77cm Winner 2016 Kingborough Art Prize. Collection Kingborough Council TAS.
Manning looks at how homes are purchased and sold: packaged not to meet actual needs but as a way of living, an opportunity, 'lifestyle' choice. Quality of life has become inexorably linked to a sense of social status and future financial security.
The artist questions what is really important about the homes we seek? What is our footprints damage on the 'homes' of other creatures?
Nest Egg, Nesting Series. triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 32 x 80 cm
Love Nest, Nesting Series. triptych acrylic on masonite 31.5 x 80 cm
Light as a Feather tripych, acrylic and collage on masonite 32 x 69 cm
Time is Fleeting Triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 27.5 x 76 cm
You Can't Take it With You. triptych,acrylic and collage on masonite 28x67cm72
Footprint, Nesting Series Triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 32 x 80cm
Black Birds, Nesting Series.triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 27.5 x 83.5 cm
Into the Beautiful Mansions Above, Nesting Series. triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 31.5 x 60.5 cm
Pecking Order, Nesting Series collage on masonite 21.5 x 69 cm
Balance, Nesting Series. triptych acrylic and collage on masonite 27.7 x 74 cm
Many Nests, Nesting Series. acrylic on masonite 80 x 120 cm
Nest In Branch. acrylic on masonite 80 x 160 cm
Walls Can Talk, Nesting Series collage on masonite 110 x 91.5cm
Consolation of Good Work Done, Nesting Series. Triptych, acrylic and collage on masonite 31.5 x 80 cm.
Feather Your Nest, Nesting Series. Triptych, acrylic and collage on masonite 31.5 x 80 cm
Material World, Nesting Series. Triptych,acrylic and collage on masonite 27.5 x 84 cm
Forget me Not, Nesting Series. acrylic and collage on masonite 32 x 69 cm
Nesting Series was exhibited at Salamanca Art Centre, Hobart, Tasmania in 2016
