Washing Lines                  <<back
For as long as I can remember, washing lines have been an obsession of mine. When I hang up the washing, the pegs have to match. Not just on each item of clothing, but on the whole row. To me, washing lines full of washing are objects of beauty.

My book 'Washing Line' (1996, letterpress and etchings on velin arches; hand stitched with small wooden pegs on binding) was acquired for the Australian National University Collection. In 1997, my etching 'Socks on the Line' was awarded as 'Highly Commended' at the Hunters Hill Art Prize.

For a few years I lived in a modern block of apartments where hanging out washing was regarded by the Body Corporate as an 'offence'. Residents were directed to use dryers to dry their washing. This is nothing less than environmental vandalism, if you ask me. If you 'insist' (as they put it) upon hanging your washing, then you may use a clothes rack, but it must not be on the balcony nor is it allowed to be visible from any other apartment! Thankfully I live somewhere with a real washing line now, but I collected all the letters I received from the Modern Apartment Body Corporate about my 'clothes hanging infringements' and I plan for these to become part of a future artwork.