A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave

A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave is a temporary public art sculpture, which depicts an array of objects such as a kayak, medication, tools, dumbbells; ossified in a large cement tableau. The work is drawn from Nick’s own history of leaving to pursue an arts career, self-actualisation, and find community. The objects depicted in A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave allude to self-actualisation, financial security, safe and affordable housing, and specialised healthcare.

A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave explores a rite of passage for young people living in regional centres where they must decide between staying in their home town – being close to family, community, familiar services, and connection to place and nature; or leaving to pursue opportunities for career diversity, find community and belonging, and choices in tertiary education etc. This choice is often complicated by a driving desire for expression of identity, which is particularly urgent for young queer or trans people.

American gender studies academic and author Jack Halberstam writes “In a Queer Time and Place” on the interrelationship of queerness and the rural-to-urban journey, “While the story of coming out tends to function as a temporal trajectory within which a period of disclosure follows a long period of repression, the metronormative story of migration from 'country' to 'town' is a spatial narrative within which the subject moves to a place of tolerance after enduring life in a place of suspicion, persecution, and secrecy. Since each narrative bears the same structure, it is easy to equate the physical journey from small town to big city with the psychological journey from closet case to out and proud”. A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave reimagines this pervasive narrative; envisioning an alternative timeline where any queer person might stay, and have everything they need to survive and thrive.

A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave was commissioned for Cementa24 by curator Daniel Mudie Cunningham where it was installed in the main street of Kandos, NSW. A World Where You Wouldn’t Have to Leave is approximately 2.4 x 2.4 metres and 25cm high. The work comprises of 8 separate slabs, which use levelling feet to attain a level surface finish. The installation takes approximately 1 day to receive delivery and install. The slabs fit a standard narrow pallet jack underneath for easy manoeuvrability and installation. The work is stored/transported in a custom-built stillage, which can be unloaded with either an optionally supplied engine hoist; or on-site forklift. Once placed and levelled, the work is fitted with supplied Corten steel siding, which secures the work in place, and obscures the footings. A comprehensive production and install sheet is provided which includes risk assessment and management guidelines.