Antidote: This Aussie artist is putting a new spin on women's labour

"I highlight the hardships endured by labourers - those who are disregarded by the world of materialism, consumerism and industrialism."

Kawita Vatanajyankur, Untangled, 2018. Source: Still from HD Video, Single Channel, 7:30 minutes. Courtesy of the artist and Nova Contemporary, Bangkok and Alamak! Proj

Labour, consumption and feminism.

These are the themes that weave their way through Thai-Australian artist Kawita Vatanajyankur's art in her new photo-exhibition 'Balancing Act' at Sydney's Antidote festival. 

Vatanajyankur uses herself as a subject, displaying her body in breathtaking contortions as she weaves through machines used to manufacture textiles - wrapping herself in a skein of fibres dipped into red dye as a spinning wheel or showing herself moving through weaving fabric on a loom.

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Shuttle, 2018. Source: Still from HD Video, Single Channel. Courtesy of the artist and Nova Contemporary Bangkok and Alamak! Project / Clear Edition & Gallery, Tokyo

Vatanajyankur says her art is inspired by her own lived experience and her interest in labour and migrant women's experiences.

“Through my work, I place strong emphasis on the value of the female gender and underline their contribution to the world. I also highlight the hardships endured by labourers - those who are disregarded by the world of materialism, consumerism and industrialism,” she said.

Kawita Vatanajyankur, Carrier II, 2017. Source: Still from HD Video, Single Channel. Courtesy of the artist and Nova Contemporary, Bangkok and Alamak! Project!/ Clear E

Balancing Act will be one of the events featured at the Antidote festival at the Sydney Opera House from September 1-2.