Citizen Trammel

‘Citizen Trammel’ (2010) was one of the first works I made that did not focus on drawing and so gave me the freedom to place more importance on the simplicity of found materials. The definition of Trammel is: “a restraint used to impede activity, progress, or freedom.” Therefore, the translation of this title is 'human trap'. The work was made up of twelve traditional rodent traps mounted side by side on a wall. Outlines of the male and female form were made out of simple line drawings and collage and then photocopied. Cut-outs of native Australian birds found on vintage Sanitarium collector's cards were placed strategically on the nude bodies.

The premise of this work is based on Speciesism, by investigating the differences in the way we treat rodents, native birds and humans. In the past, native animals have indeed become considered 'pests' due to overpopulation destroying their environment and the livelihoods of other species, but the idea of trapping a kangaroo in a giant trap that will break any part of their body leaving them to starve or bleed to death, is considered perverse.

The incorporation of people in this work is to bring about the idea of the Golden Rule; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This rule is considered the basis of human rights, rights which we do not extend to other creatures. The use of the particular images from the Sanitarium cards is pertinent due to their company's ongoing support of the vegetarian lifestyle in Australia. This work has since been taken apart and recycled and so will not be shown again.