theo koning

paper products

16 april - 15 may 2010

• press release

Theo Koning has been wrapping domestic objects in brown paper, giving them new life and identities

A boxing glove is transformed into a ‘paper punch’, a pepper grinder into a ‘paper mill’, and a toy wooden plane becomes a ‘paper plane’. The simplicity of the brown paper strips the objects of individuality, almost like home-brand objects, yet their distinctive shapes still place them from specific periods of time.

Theo has grouped the pieces so that they form a narrative; relationships give rise to new interpretations. A classic shaped cup and saucer is placed with a 1960s handbag. The domestic suddenly becomes reminiscent of an outing to a nice café. A football and a radio combination brings memories of listening to the footy on the radio in dad’s garage or in the car on a family outing. Memories are kindled in this shop presentation of Paper Products where you can even buy paper money.

Theo has been exhibiting in Perth since the early 1970s and has been included in many significant exhibitions featuring the work of outstanding Western Australian artists. His works can be found in many important collections including the National Australian Gallery, Art Gallery of SA, Art Gallery of WA, Artbank, BankWest, Parliament House Canberra, University of WA, Murdoch University, Curtin University and many more.

 

 

ball of paper + newspaper football, radio, brown paper 28 x 46 x 26cm 2010 $750 sold to city of fremantle	paper mill pepper grinder, brown paper 39.5 x 6.5 x 6.5cm 2010 $400
paper hangers with pants and shirt coathangers, wallpaper, brown paper 83 x 42 x 42cm 2010 $950	paper cup and saucer + paper bag cup + saucer, handbag, brown paper 25 x 37 x 25cm 2010 $700
paper hat no.1, paper knife + paper hat, knife, brown paper 13 x 18 x 40cm 2010 $400	paper plane + paper hat [boater] wooden plane, hat, brown paper 18 x 37 45cm 2010 $650
paper punch boxing glove, brown paper 10 x 23 x 16cm 2010 $450 sold	paperbacks, paper money + paper books, torch, brown paper 28 x 19 x 11cm 2010 $700