Susan O'Doherty's new exhibition reassembles the past to tackle today's social issues

Pinned to the Wall' is a highly charged series of new work by leading mixed media artist Susan O'Doherty. Using discarded domestic items to address themes of gender inequality and violence in the family home, O'Doherty has brought the private into a public message. O'Doherty is a Sydney based artist whose practice tackles social issues, recollections and experiences across the mediums of assemblage, large-scale paintings and sculpture installation. She began working on this new collection three years ago, sourcing thrown-out and forgotten objects by design. O'Doherty's trademark of using everyday items, some familiar, many nostalgic, were intentionally chosen and placed to frame her contemporary storytelling. Susan's aesthetic is visually pleasing yet confronting. Her works suggest the calm and chaos that can exist in the domestic ideal, the perfect home. As you move through the exhibition, there's an intense and dark underbelly lurking. Nothing is as perfect as it seems. What balances the delicate nature of this exhibition is O'Doherty's sensitive approach. Playing with pattern, geometric flat lays, as well as form and depth, there is an entrancing pull by the works, with their decorative and bright colours offset by their titles -'One Argument too Many', 'It was meant to be a good day', 'One Punch' or 'Behind Closed Doors' "“ if the initial subject is lost to the viewer it comes to fruition with reading these sadly universal expressions. As a substantial statement 'Pinned to the Wall' is speaking openly about domestic violence. By humanizing inanimate things Susan O'Doherty's project puts a face to the object, a name to the number, a story to the statistic. 'Pinned to the Wall' will be officially launched by: The Hon. Penny Sharpe, MLC NSW Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage, Shadow Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events at Spot 81 Gallery, Chippendale on Wednesday 23 November 2016 Exhibition at Spot 81 Gallery until 04 December 2016. Travelling to Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, NSW, 03 March "“ 22 April 2017.