Stephen Oatway, Bird of Prayer, recycled found objects, 50 x 30 x 60cm

To coincide with the 2020 Tour Down Under in Murray Bridge, we present Stephen Oatway’s exhibition of inventive and whimsical ‘Junk Art’ birds, made from recycled found objects - each starting with a car jack and push bike parts.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My Junk Art Birdz series all started with a rusty old car jack and a pair of old vintage hand-held sheep shearing clippers. I used car jacks as the main part of the bodies to create every bird in the series. Added to these are many different recycled found objects, including push bike parts, old garden tools, car headlights, garden shears, jewels, old toys and wares.    

As my birdz developed, I fully immersed myself into the creative aspect and they became more elaborate and intriguing as I proceeded. I found that separate stories and tales within the birds emerged when I started to add plastic toys, insects and animals, jewels and op shop figurines..

I have been creating junk art sculptures now for many many years. So, these days I just allow the junk to speak to me and tell me what it wants to become and I trust in this process.

My art practice incorporates: community art projects with Mannum Creative Communities, The Whitehouse Art House Gallery (Mannum), Junk Art using recycled found materials, The Junk Man my alter ego, video art, painting pop art style using mixed media, sculpture using various mediums, installation art, public commissions, exhibitions, artist talks, workshops and mentoring.

My most recent inspiration comes from a Nigerian artist I came across earlier this year called Dotunpopo.

“I am Seeking, I am Striving, I am in it with all my Heart” Vincent Van Gough

Stephen Oatway, Pinocchio, 2019, found objects, 65 x 45 x 60cm

Stephen Oatway, Sam, 2019, recycled found objects, 50 x 30 x 55cm