Michelle

18 October 2007 - 24 November 2007

Chris Mason began his journey of creating "Michelle", the Southeast Asian Reticulated Python over 6 years ago. Traveling overseas with his family, Mason first encountered one of these snakes in a zoo in Thailand.

This was the inspiration for his extensive project - "to make a life sized python".

Years of construction began. It was an arduous and laborious process, as Mason patiently created his beloved "Michelle"– a python 7 metres in length.

Using simple tools and materials she began to take shape. Chicken wire stuffed with newspaper and bound with plaster bandage was then embellished with individually cut scales made out of kitchen sponges.

And finally the scales were carefully painted the colours of a python. For Mason the meticulous process of forming and painting was as significant as the end result.

Pythons are, non-venomous, they bite and hold their prey with sharp, curved teeth, the body coils around the animal to constrict and suffocate it. This collapses the prey's chest, deflates its lungs and compresses its heart. [1]

"Michelle" has been the foundation for Mason’s other artwork and writing over this period. Both the massive reptile and his ceramic sculptures of voluptuous female figures share a preoccupation with organic, rounded and fullness of forms.

In his writing it is clear to see the links that unite the two subject matters - volume, size, strength and texture, not to mention Mason’s personal attraction. The python, ceramic ladies and his writing are intertwined in a coil that extends like a vortex to his private world.

This exhibition unveils "Michelle" to the public for the first time alongside his beloved large ladies. The exhibition also includes a selection of Mason’s writing, giving insight into the link between Michelle and the ceramic figures

[1] Queensland Museum. http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/features/snakes/reticulated.asp