Emily Schorowsky, 'Tarmac' 2023. Aeroplanes: coloured pencil, pastel pencil, soft pastel and watercolour on synthetic silk fabric, sewn onto cane that is held together with masking tape. 150cm x 125cm x 55 cm, 115cm x 100cm x 35cm. Map: coloured pencil, pastel pencil, soft pastel and watercolour on synthetic silk fabric. 115cm x 189cm. Image courtesy: the artist.

Artist statement

Marrying drawing with sculpture, 'Tarmac' comprises a large-scale map with two accompanying aeroplanes. Fabric has been layered with diffuse watercolour, pastel and pencil, to depict and distort metropolitan and greater Sydney. The technique is mirrored in the making of the aeroplanes’ “skin”, which is hand-sewn onto the crafted cane skeleton. 'Tarmac' explores our exploitation of the environment, namely the devastation that the development of Sydney’s airports continues to inflict on communities and ecosystems.

Instagram: emily.naya

Acknowledgement of Country

UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.

We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.