A&D ANNUAL 2021
April Mountfort
April Mountfort’s art practice examines social and political issues, frequently employing conceptual storytelling to engage viewers, recognising the power of storytelling to spark audience imagination. Her recent work, ‘Evolution forward, evolution backward?’ is a speculative fictional work contemplating a post-human world due to humankind’s disconnection with nature. The work is inspired by the loss or invisibility of those around us during the 2019 bush fire smog which was promptly followed by COVID-19 pandemic rolling lockdowns. Gradually evolved anthropomorphic creatures emerge existing within nature. Made of vibrant fabric, these life-sized amphibious creatures are animated in a video shot at a coastal location devoid of signs of humankind. Other recent social and political issues explored in April’s installations include protesting outcomes in sexual assault prosecutions where the victim’s clothing or conduct was found to signal consent, and a work speaking of homelessness and its causes. Both concepts saw the creation of large double-sided banners with intricate hand sewn details.
DegreeBachelor of Fine Arts (Honours)DisciplineSculpture, PaintingWebsiteaprilmountfort.comInstagram@aprilmountfortEmailapril.mountfort@gmail.com