Phoebe Kiri & Aisling Isolde – 'A Worm Will Turn'

A Worm Will Turn is a double show by two artists with a lot in common. Aisling and Phoebe have day jobs in retail, are neurodiverse and approaching their mid-30s. They both studied 2D art over a decade ago, and have continued maintaining a prolific output, with a special focus on figurative inkings. When they noticed the many parallels in their lives, putting on a show together seemed like a natural direction to head in. 

A Worm Will Turn’s two halves form a whole duality that pushes away from a loss of creative drive – it’s a rebellion in continuous movement. We work to live, not live to work. A Worm Will Turn against anyone telling them not to make, against any self doubt in a city with conflicting notions of success, against being told to sit still. 

Aisling’s series observes the physical form through mark-making. Her pieces contain joy through immediate movement. Body horror informs these pieces, and the narrative is communicated with detailed linework, crosshatching, stippling and bold colour. 

Phoebe’s series, the 'Marrick Arcana', asks their ancestors which direction to head in Sydney, with the Tarot deck’s Major Arcana symbolism being used as a jumping-off point. Their Maori art-styled inkings tell The Fool’s Journey narrative as you follow the direction of the figure’s gazes.