Graduate Show Work

In 1903, the privately-funded Oracle Expedition, arrived in the Antarctic peninsula to investigate mining opportunities. Six months later, when the expedition ship returned to collect the explorers, they found no one. 

 

Everything was left as though the expeditioneers might return at any moment; but it was clear that the outpost had been deserted for months. No messages were left, and no trace of these men has been found since. They inexplicably vanished into the expanse of Antarctica. 

 

Over a century later, artist Rebecca Gleeson became fascinated with this failed expedition’s story. Its unresolved nature, and continued obscurity, captured their imagination. This presentation is made up of a series of prints, alongside found objects; all focused on the expedition and its disappearance. Prints were done through time-consuming methods and by courting chance; reflecting how explorers would have recorded an unknown continent; by pushing forward and working with what presented itself. 

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This project was an attempted exploration of both installation work, though done primarily through printmaking, and making use of false narratives + archival materials. 

Its goal was to create the space that a historical narrative could be presented - the museum space - but the story is only told through 'found' materials, which were made up by the artist.

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