The stars in her (my) eyes
23rd of June to the 3rd of July 2022
Schoolhouse Studios
28 Victoria Street Coburg, Victoria
The stars in her (my) eyes explores the childhood bedroom as a place of discomfort and horror. This exhibition references films that describe the childhood bedroom as unsafe. Regan MacNeil’s room in ‘The Exorcist’ (1971) and Katie Featherston's room in 'Paranormal Activity' (2007) are sources of inspiration. The denim stars honour Lucifer Morning Star, the devil himself. The stars allude to demonic possession as children levitate above their beds.
Phoebe draws on her own experience of sleep as she has experienced night terrors in the past. The bedsheets depict a night sky or ceiling covered in glow in the dark stars. The dying stars (falling from the sky or ceiling) represent rapid eye movement associated with night terrors. The opposite quilt (a window) is a reminder of what lies beyond the bedroom. Phoebe references personal stories and pop culture to re-contextualise the childhood bedroom.
Photo credit: Aaron Claringbold @waterrunningslowlyoverrocks