Louise Gregg

Local Contemporary Art Prize 2025 – Finalist

Image courtesy of the artist

Louise Gregg | Money Matrix | 2024 | mixed media | 84 x 84cm

Money Matrix reflects the cost-of-living crisis through my lens of history and personal resilience, drawing inspiration from the Wagga blanket tradition in Australia. In the Wagga tradition, utilising textiles as up-cycling, I reflect the ingenuity and resourcefulness of those who ‘made do’ during challenging times. Each thread and piece of fabric holds a story, capturing the spirit of survival, amidst economic hardship.

Money Matrix weaves jeans, shirts, pants, the threads of someone’s history, employment, community, and socio-economic struggle, the ephemera of life. The vibrant colours imbue hope and comfort, while the intricate patterns evoke the interwoven stories of our life.

This artwork invites viewers to reflect on the significance of collective memory and resilience in facing contemporary challenges, with an understanding of ‘making do’ to foster creativity.