The installation Arachne – 2020 combines several of Swinburn’s concerns and practices into one. Made from documents relating to the displacement of archeological silver pieces from the historical Persian, Summer & Assur Empires , it brings us closer to the topic of cultural identity on the one hand as it refers to one of the cradles of civilisation, while aiming to strengthen the integration between various communities from the Global South in making reference to female resilience.

Having operated as both cloak or armour – depending on the viewer’s interpretation – this piece also contains dual significance in its final form, given the piece was previously worn by the artist in a performance and later boxed and displayed as a sculpture. The artwork is therefore activated by the artist’s position as both fabricator and performer of the sculpture. This could be seen as a metaphor for resistance, where woven narratives are portrayed as a substitute for the silence of women throughout history.

ARACHNE

Woven paper investiture from vintage documentacion on silver pieces from Persian, Summer & Assur Empires.
150 cm w x 180 cm h x 40 cm depth
2020

ARACHNE

Performative Photo with woven paper investiture from vintage documentacion on silver pieces from Persian, Summer & Assur Empires.
120 cm w x 180 cm h
2020
edition of 5 +2ap